United Teletech Financial has scored well above its goal to save members $1 million.

The credit union’s campaign, the “Million Dollar Community Challenge,” started at the beginning of the summer and challenged members to unite to save a million dollars in interest. The goal was surpassed as members saved more than $1.8 million this summer.

“Community members not only accepted the challenge, but far surpassed our expectations for how much they saved,” Leo R. Ardine, CEO of the Tinton Falls, N.J.-based credit union, said. “We’re truly pleased that by participating, they not only helped themselves but the community as well.”

Besides helping individuals, the challenge also benefited five charities–Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex counties, Clean Ocean Action, FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties, Monmouth County SPCA and The Salvation Army-Red Bank Corps. Each charity was awarded $1,000 for participating.

“This campaign has been about more than just saving money on interest rates. The challenge has created an educational opportunity for people to become informed on making sound financial decisions,” Ardine said.