Many also took time to recognize those who selflessly gave their lives in service to their country.

Belvoir Federal Credit Union employees organzied a day of dedication by laying wreaths on fallen soldiers graves at the Quantico National Cemetery. Employees and their family members joined together for the three year annual tradition and laid over 50 wreaths alongside the hundreds of patrons who attended the ceremony at the cemetary. Collectively, 1,500 wreaths were laid.

"We were very proud to represent Belvoir Federal at this wonderful event. The ceremony was touching and the displayed respect from the crowd was moving. There were many silent tears for those fallen and prayers going out for those currently serving our country," stated Tisha Wallace, chief operations officer at the $317 million credit union based in Woodbridge, Va.

NuMark Credit Union, based in Jolliet, Ill., raised $2,671 and sponsored 276 wreaths at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill. as part of the "Wreaths Across America" project.

For over 20 years the nonprofit dedicated to honoring the nation's heroes for their ultimate sacrifice, has provided wreaths for veterans in each branch of the military to all participating State and National cemeteries, 24 off shore cemeteries and many local town cemeteries adn monuments. Each year, over 300 locations nationwide hold wreath laying ceremonies. Over 100,000 wreaths have been donated and more than 65,000 volunteers have particpated in the project. 

All together 6,100 wreaths were placed at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

"I was pleased to see such a great turnout which included several NuMark staff and board members at the ceremony held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery," Wally Chlipala, board member at the $194 million credit union said. "Many people brought their families, and I saw children placing wreaths. It is so easy to get lose in the rush of the holidays. These families took the time to say thank you to those who have served and protected our freedom, what a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit."

Over in Suitland, Md., Andrews Fderal Credit Union teamed up with the American Forces Network and the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to sponsor the "Five Days of Christmas".

Each morning AFN announced a trivia question during their morning radio show. The caller with the correct answer won a $25 gift card provided by the $1.01 billion credit union for a total of five winners. The contest ran from Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19, and was open to any US Department of Defense ID card holder.

"I am glad that we could do our part to spread some holiday cheer within the BENELUX Community this Holiday Season, " Joshua Barrett, Chievres branch manager, Andrews FCU. "It is such a pleasure to see people happy and I am glad that we could be a part of that."

Holy Rosary Credit Union based in Rochester, N.H., shared a lot of holiday cheer with its Christmas Caring Campaign. Some 15 Strafford County non-profit organization received a total of $20,000 in donations.

"We are once again blessed this holiday season to be able to recognize those outstanding organizations right here in our community," Brian Hughes, president/CEO of the $206 million credit union said.  "What made this year particularly special was that the staff and volunteers of HRCU had a chance to visit all of the recipients and see first-hand all the good that happens in our neighborhoods every day."

Local organizations that benefitted from the credit union's charitable giving program ranged from the Strafford Nutrition Meals on Wheels, St. Elizabeth Seton School, and Spaulding High School Raider Station Student Pantry, to the Interfaith Food Pantry and others. Recipients determined how to best use the funds. For example, Meals on Wheels will use the contribution to continue providing over 500 local seniors with hot meals daily, while the Interfaith Food Pantry will use the money over the course of 2015 to support more than 80 families a month with food and hygiene provisions.

During the month of December, over in Duluth, Ga., Georgia United Credit Union held its 25th annual Wish Tree program to collect new toys and clothing for local foster children through local Departments of Family & Children's Services. 

Georgia United invited interested individuals, schools, and civic groups to participate by dropping off a new toy or article of clothing at one of Georgia United's 16 branch locations by mid-December so deliveries could be made prior to Christmas. A total of 899 itmes from iPods to bicycles were collected and shared with area foster children. 

The Christmas Wish Tree Program has been one of the $977 million credit union's longest-running community service projects and one of its most successful with approximately 15,000 gifts donated to multiple county DFCS offices over the past 25 years.

Robins Federal Credit Union, based in Warner Robins, Ga. gave back to local communities with its 25 Days of Holiday Giving. The $1.9 billion credit union selected and provided much needed monetary donations to 25 different organizations througout the county. In addition, staffers donated 45 Christmas gifts for elderly and disabled Central Georgia residents. Robins Federal employees created the Christmas gift boxes for donation to the Meals on Wheels of Houston County's "Shoeboxes for the Elderly" program. The packages contained items ranging form candy and games to personal care items. The gift boxes were delivered to Meals on Wheels recipients along with a hot meal on Christmas Day.

Over in Miramar, Fla., Tropical Financial Credit Union made the holidays a bit brighter for two South Florida families in need.

The $575 million credit union adopted the families and provided them with toys, cloths and food donated by employees.

Members of the marketing team loaded up a car with gifts, hit the road and made personal deliveries that would make Santa proud. 

The first stop was Lauderhill, Fla.,  to visit a family headed up by a hard-working divorced mother caring for a six-year old son with autism and his sister. In Miami Gardens, Fla. the credit union provided Christmas for a grandmother, her two grandchildren and an 18-year old son. 

The families were referred by CBS 4's Adopt-a-Family 4 The Holidays program which connects charities with local businesses. 

"Throughout the year, employees at TFCU give their money to local non-profits that disperse it directly to people whom they serve," Amy McGraw vice president of marketing at TFCU said. "We never really see the direct impact. But with adopt-a-family, we are able to personally touch the lives of a few individuals and actually see how much our efforts mean to them.  As credit unions, we take pride in helping the financial lives of our members, one member at a time; this reflects that."