GTE Financial is fulfilling the Christmas wish lists of 19 families near the credit union's headquarters in Tampa Bay, Fla.

GTE Financial ($1.84 billion in assets, 246,574 members) adopts families every year for its Make Hope Real program, which aims to deliver gifts to those struggling with some of life's greatest challenges.

This year, GTE Financial will purchase items for families who can barely make ends meet due to the financial commitment of caring for a sick child; a victim of domestic abuse now left on her own to care for her children; a widow and mom dealing with an unexpected tragedy; and, other families facing hardships.

Of GTE Financial's 22 community financial centers, 19 will adopt a family of their own and learn about their needs via a family wish list. GTE Financial will purchase items on the wish lists, wrap them, and its employees will deliver the gifts to the families during the week of Dec. 12.

“The holidays provide us with a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community and those who need us most,” said Brian Best, president and CEO. “We believe in people helping people, and this initiative truly allows us to take a more personal approach in helping families and spreading joy to our members in need during the holidays.”

This is the third year that GTE Financial has adopted families for the holidays. All families adopted are members of the credit union.

Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union employees and members collected nearly 500 toys for children in families facing hardships in the Lowell, Mass., area.

Jeanne D'Arc ($1.22 billion in assets, 77,949 members) set up collection boxes at each location where members dropped off games, baby dolls, action figures, stuffed animals, toy cars and trucks, and even bicycles from Dec. 1-10.

The gifts are being distributed by Toys for Local Children (TLC) to struggling families, shelters and fire victims in the Middlesex and Essex counties. TLC has been operating in the area for 11 years.

“We are so grateful to all those who donated toys, allowing Toys for Local Children to carry out their mission and provide happiness for so many deserving children in and around our community,” said Mark S. Cochran, Jeanne D'Arc's president and CEO. “We are happy to show our support, and the success of the collection demonstrates the giving spirit espoused by our community.”

Texas Trust Credit Union presented a check for $5,000 and delivered a busload of toys in a restored 1956 Chevrolet school bus during the Mansfield, Texas, Toys for Tots drive.

The Mansfield-based credit union also hosted a special family zone complete with an antique sleigh and an area to mix up “magic sparkling reindeer food.” Families took advantage of sitting in the antique sleigh for an old-fashioned Christmas picture. Children had fun creating the magic reindeer food, which when sprinkled on the lawn on Christmas Eve helps direct Santa's reindeer to their home and provides a snack for those hard-working reindeer.

“Contributing to Toys for Tots brings joy to us, as well as to the children who receive the gifts,” said Jim Minge, president of Texas Trust. “We are so thankful for the servicemen and women who are behind this organization that is dedicated to making children's Christmas dreams come true.”

Redwood Credit Union helped raise nearly $265,000 dollars to assist victims of the Clayton Fire which devastated much of northern California's Lower Lake community in August.

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based RCU ($3.15 billion in assets, 221,634 members) helped raise the funds through the contributions of more than 700 donors to assist victims. The fire burned about 4,000 acres and destroyed 300 buildings in the Lower Lake community, about 80 miles north of Santa Rosa.

Nearly all of the funds have been distributed to victims of the fire, including individual grants of up to $1,000 to residents who lost their homes; $20,000 in business recovery grants; and $20,000 in gift cards for students, teachers and staff at Lower Lake schools to replace school clothes and supplies.

Wescom Central Credit Union is out surprising holiday shoppers by paying for their tree selections (up to $100 in value per customer) at Christmas tree lots in the Pasadena, Calif., area.

It's part of the annual #WescomKindness program of Wescom Credit Union ($3.37 billion in assets, 190,126 members). From Dec. 3 to Dec. 25, 14 participating pop-up lots will each give away $2,000 worth of Christmas trees to unsuspecting customers, compliments of the credit union.

“A little bit of kindness goes a long way,” said Deena Otto, senior vice president for administration. “We know the holidays can be a stressful time budget-wise for many, and we can't wait to surprise people and help make their season brighter.”

America First Credit Union based in Riverdale, Utah, gave a total of $80,000 to charities during its annual check presentation event Dec. 7.

America First ($8.04 billion in assets, 800,889 members) gave the contributions through its non-profit organization, the America First Charitable Foundation, established in 1989.

Eight organizations each received $10,000: Christmas Box International, The Road Home, SafeNest, The Lantern House, YCC of Northern Utah, Cathedral of the Madeline Good Samaritan Program, SHARE, Inc. and Catholic Community Services, Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank.

The giving spirit at State Employees' Credit Union is alive and well this holiday season with staff donating nearly $100,000 to its favorite non-profits through the 2016 State Employees Combined Campaign (SECC).

SECU's campaign pledges exceeded expectations this year, with employee gifts increasing more than $20,000 over the 2015 tally! SECU members, via the SECU Foundation, complemented SECU employees' charitable donations by providing funding for the annual SECC Giving Guide, assuring more contributions reach the needs of North Carolina's citizens and communities.

Redstone Federal Credit Union has vowed to donate $1 to a children's charity for each letter to Santa dropped off at one of its 22 branches in northern Alabama and middle Tennessee, or up to $17,556.

The Huntsville, Ala.-based credit union's new Letters to Santa initiative benefits the Kids to Love Foundation — a non-profit that helps find permanent homes for foster children and provides for their immediate needs. Since its incorporation in 2004, the Kids to Love Foundation has reached more than 200,000 foster children.

In North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, Kids to Love serves 22 counties – many of the same counties served by Redstone ($4.49 billion in assets, 391,252 members).

“Kids to Love touches children in foster care and those transitioning out,'' said Joe Newberry, Redstone's president and CEO. “The foundation provides school supplies, college scholarships and career training and makes certain these children and young people are not forgotten.''