Credit Union Association of New York, Albany, N.Y., said five credit unions from the Jamestown Chapter collected toys again this year to help make the holidays a little brighter for area children. Members and employees from Affinity One FCU, Greater Chautauqua FCU, Inner Lakes FCU, Jamestown Area Community FCU, Jamestown Post Office Employees FCU, Southern Chautauqua FCU and the credit unions themselves, collected more than 600 toys this year.  The unwrapped gifts were donated to Love Inc. in Jamestown and Union Relief of Westfield at a Jamestown Chapter Toys for Kids dinner in December. Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (R-Jamestown) was a guest speaker at the festive event.  An additional $400 was raised during the event for wrapping paper and other needed items. Love Inc. and Union Relief of Westfield distributed the bounty of toys to children in need over the holidays.

Advance Financial Federal Credit Union, Hammond, Ind., collected and donated 70 presents during the Angel Tree Gift Drive. Staff and members of AFFCU added even more this year as they collected over 300 pounds of food and over $1,000 in monetary donations during their Annual Food Drive, supporting the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

AEA Federal Credit Union, Yuma, Ariz., announced that its goal to award members with over $200,000 in "Instant Cash for Car Loans" before year-end has been successfully reached, triggering AEA's pledge to write a $10,000 check to one community service organization. Open voting for AEA's GO Direct Initiative's $10,000 charity donation officially started on Jan. 1 on the credit union's Facebook site.  Competing for the big check are: Crossroads Mission, Hospice of Yuma and the Yuma Community Food Bank. Nominations for charities have been accepted on AEA's website at aeafcu.org/initiative for the past four months.  The three organization finalists will now compete for the $10,000 donation through an online Facebook voting process.