BRANCHING OUT Lacamas Community Credit Union, Camas, Wash., celebrated the complete remodel of its Washougal Branch recently. The event featured refreshments, a complimentary espresso cart, door prizes, a membership special, and a chance to visit with LCCU staff and tour the branch. The remodeling project, which began in early April, included remodeling of the building's entrance and improved privacy accommodations for credit union members in the new accounts/loan area. Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, Evansville, Ind., recently announced plans to pen a branch inside the new Wal-Mart Supercenter currently under construction in Henderson. The credit union branch will begin operation when the Wal-Mart opens for business in January 2007. ETFCU's Henderson Office will offer the same full range of financial services as other ETFCU locations, but will feature additional banking hours. The branch will be open seven days per week for a total of 64 hours and will include an ATM and night depository with 24-hour access. Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union, Hackensack, N.J., recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Paramus. Several local dignitaries were on hand to help kickoff the ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony was presided by employees, board members, existing company affiliates and a few long time members. The ribbon cutting ceremony was immediately followed by a white glove reception and a tour of the facility. Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, Aberdeen, Md., celebrated the grand opening of its new and improved Havre de Grace branch in the Harbor Shops shopping center. APGFCU Board Chairman David Gilbert welcomed Havre de Grace Mayor John Correri and Harford County Executive David Craig as they cut the ceremonial ribbon. APGFCU's Havre de Grace branch also hosted Family Fun Day in honor of its grand opening. Harford County families joined APGFCU staff for a day of fun, entertainment, refreshments and giveaways, including a coupon book with over $300 in savings from local merchants. The full service branch features traditional lobby tellers, member service representatives, drive-up lanes, and a 24-hour drive-up ATM. DONATIONS Capital Communications Credit Union, Albany, N.Y., recently donated more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need throughout the Capital District. For the fourth consecutive year, the CU supported children in grades K-12 who were in need of supplies in order to start their school year off on the right foot. The CU's Teen Youth Group evolved this summer and was put ion charge of the backpack program which involved buying, organizing and delivering the backpacks and school supplies to local shelters and organizations. St. Alexius Community Credit Union, Bismarck, N.D., recently announced the winners of its Jack E. Eakman Scholarship for the 2006-2007 school year. The CU awarded eight, $500 scholarships to students based on a 500 word essay about their future financial preparation. Scholarship entries addressed this question, "The mysteries of your credit report. Do you know what it's for, what it does and what's on it?" Employees of Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia, appeared live on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon to present a $5,000 donation and to help answer phones for incoming donations. In other donation news, the CU also awarded four scholarships as part of its 2006 Scholarship Program. The winners are: Mary Coyle, Stephen Peters, Gelsey Torres, and Matthew Baum. Each scholarship recipient received $1,000 toward tuition and textbooks. TopLine Federal Credit Union, Maple Grove, Minn., filled 216 backpacks with needed supplies as part of the Brooklyn Park Community Emergency Assistance Program and The Caring Tree statewide Back-to-School Program. The backpacks will be distributed to CEAP clients within the communities it serves. CEAP is a community-based nonprofit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. Memphis Area Teachers' Credit Union, Memphis, Tenn., has partnered with Shadow Oaks Elementary School to encourage reading. First grade teacher Linda Hodges and Shadow Oaks Elementary School have developed an Accelerated Reading program for their students. MATCU provided funds that allowed a "Smarty" tree to be painted in a hallway at the school. "Smarty" is the MATCU ATM mascot who also doubles as Shadow Oaks' Reading Program mascot. He was on hand recently to encourage the first graders to read as Hodges announced the beginning of the 2006 Accelerated Reading program. Service 1st Federal Credit Union and Columbia County Farmers National Bank, Danville, Pa., recently each laid $100 on the playing field for a friendly game of softball. Employees of each organization participated for a chance to donate the $200 to a charity of their choice. Service 1st won the game 20-15, but the real winner was the Central Susquehanna Valley Heart Walk. Service 1st added the $200 to its Heart Walk team donations that totaled over $800. GKCU, Georgetown, S.C., recently made a pledge of $10,000 over the next three years toward the capital campaign fundraising efforts for construction of a new hospice patient care facility that will be opening soon. Tidelands Community Hospice serves terminally ill patients in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. The new facility will offer 24-hour nursing care to 12 hospice patients at one time in addition to many they serve in the community at their own homes. GKCU's donation will help fun a "Community Education" room that will be used for community meetings, family and patient meetings and volunteer training. Fort Belvoir Federal Credit Union, Woodbridge, Va., donated $1,500 to Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (B.O.S.S.) on Fort Belvoir. Armed Forces Financial Network matched the donation providing a combined contribution of $3,000 for the organization. FBFCU has proudly supported the AFFN donation-matching program for the last three years giving a total of $9,000 to organizations on Fort Belvoir. B.O.S.S. is a program designed to enhance and support Single Soldiers well-being, contribute to community service, and assist in the planning of recreation and leisure activities. Iowa Community Credit Union, Cedar Falls, Iowa, kicked off the summer by holding a two-month long fundraiser to purchase new sweatshirts for needy children in the area. A total of $1,000 was raised through donations from credit union members, staff and the general public. Each geographic area in which ICCU is located donated their portion of sweatshirts purchased to an area elementary school or agency. MILESTONES Community Choice Federal Credit Union, Indianapolis, Indiana's only credit union that was chartered specifically as a Community Development Credit Union celebrated 25 years of service to members recently. The two-day celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Community Choice began at the Historic Firehouse #2 during a reception attended by members, state legislators, Cliff Rosenthal, executive director of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and Indiana League President John McKenzie. The credit union partnered with community and city representatives to celebrate the revitalization of the area by hosting an ice cream social following the dedication of Moon Block Park on the second day of the celebration. Navy Federal Credit Union, Vienna, Va., recently observed the birthday of the Marine Corps with a celebration of its 231 years of service. The highlight of the ceremony was a speech by guest of honor, Lieutenant General Jan C. Huly, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps. The birthday celebration also included presentation of the colors, a cake cutting ceremony, the delivery of the Commandant's 2006 birthday message from General Michael W. Hagee, and an appearance by Sergeant Chesty XII, the Marine Corps mascot. Credit Union of Texas, Dallas, recently held a weeklong celebration to mark its 75th anniversary. Members were offered a special 75th Anniversary Certificate of Deposit and a reception was held at Credit Union of Texas' first branch location on Ross Avenue. A plaque congratulating CUofTX on 75 years of service was presented by Texas Credit Union League President Dick Ensweiler during the reception.