Educational Community Credit Union, Kalamazoo, Mich., awarded a total of $4,000 to four members and their schools of choice as a result of the credit union’s recent Friend Me! checking account referral promotion. Each time a member referred a friend or family member to ECCU checking, they each received $25 when an active checking account was maintained. Both members were entered into a random drawing for a chance to win $500, where the winner also chose a school to receive a matching $500 donation. ECCU member Nikki Gill was referred to ECCU for a checking account by a co-worker. Gill and her co-worker both received $25, and then Gill was randomly chosen as the fourth and final $500 winner. She chose Northeastern Elementary School in Kalamazoo to receive the matching $500 donation because her daughter is a student there.

Indiana Members Credit Union, Indianapolis, hosted its third annual fundraising event, Vegas Baby, Rat Pack Style, to benefit the Indiana Members Foundation. Over 200 people attended the sold out event which included hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and live entertainment provided by Michael Sonata, a Frank Sinatra tribute artist. The event raised over $19,000 for the Indiana Members Foundation. Highlights of the evening included a casino area, live music and swing dancing. Primary event sponsors for the evening included Indianapolis General Contractors as the Copa Room Sponsor, St. Vincent Carmel Hospital as the Copa Stage Sponsor, Indiana Credit Union League as the Sands Casino Sponsor, Warren MSD Federal Credit Union as the Photo Booth Sponsor and Indiana Members Credit Union as the High Limit Slots Sponsor.

Northeast Credit Union, Portsmouth, N.H., donated $5,000 to the United Way of the Greater Seacoast. The money is targeted for the Family Financial Stability Initiative. Cindy Boyd, managing director of United Way of the Greater Seacoast, stated that the United Way will use Northeast Credit Union’s investment to expand the reach of free tax preparation sites, provide financial literacy education for moderate- to low-income individuals and families, help ensure affordable workforce and affordable housing, and provide short-term assistance to individuals and families on the verge of homelessness.

Purdue Federal Credit Union, West Lafayette, Ind., presented a $5,000 check to Food Finders Food Bank Inc., for its BackPack Program. The funds were raised during Purdue Federal’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day silent auction. Purdue Federal employees and local organizations donated 126 auction items, and employees’ winning bids brought in a record $5,000 for one year—the previous two years brought nearly $5,000 total.

UW Credit Union, Madison, Wis., announced a commitment of $30,000 to the American Family Children’s Hospital. The donation went to the capital fund for their expansion plans. As announced in February 2012, the American Family Children’s Hospital is expanding to meet the growing demand for highly specialized pediatric care. The first phase of the strategic expansion plan is called Sick Kids Can’t Wait, and added 26 critical care beds as well as imaging and heart services at the children’s hospital. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin later this year with completion scheduled for 2014. n