Omni Community CU, Battle Creek, Mich., has distributed the first round of its annual Omni Gives Back Grant program, representing about half of the $40,000 the CU will distribute to local charities. The first round of grants went to the Calhoun County Chapter of American Red Cross, All Species Kinship of Battle Creek, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services of St. Joeseph County, Leila Aboretum of Battle Creek and Three Rivers Area Mentoring of Three Rivers. Separately, the CU held a bake sale and raised $500 for Relay for Life.
FocalPoint CU, Syracuse, N.Y., held Dress Down Days to raise money for a local special need cheerleading team called The Universal Cheer Company's "Comets."
Centra CU awarded scholarships to Zachary Toppe and Damid Manring, two graduating high school seniors, and Lisa Johnson a 1981 graduate who is returning to school as an adult.
Community First CU, Jacksonville, Fla., awarded $1,000 schlarships to Erin Saunter, Renad Abu-Sawwa, Colette DuChanois, Joseph Gross and Bryana Peterson.
Greylock FCU's Greylock Employee Benefits Services, organized a wellness fair that was attended by about 225 employees from a variety organizations including Brien Center, Berkshire Museum, Elder Services, BENTA, Bershire Children & Families, Bershire County ARC, Bershire Music School and others.
Hughes FCU, Tucson, Ariz., awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Leah Edwards; a $1,000 scholarship to Aiden Shef and a $500 scholarship to Arisa Acosta.
Community CU, Springfield, Mo., awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Jesse Speer.
San Mateo CUs started its Refer-a-Friend program in June 2009, in which the CU donates 20 lunches to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo County every time a referral results in a new membership. As of the first quarter of 2010, the CU has donated 1,140 lunches for the 57 membership referrals that resulted in a new member.
TruMark Financial CU, Trevose, Penn., allowed employees to wear jeans one Friday in return for making a donation to Autism Delaware. The CU raised $791.
Right Choice CU, Houston, celebrated National Credit Union Week by hosting a visit from Bruce Elementary School.
Permaculture CU, Santa Fe, N.M., is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The CU specializes in lending in areas that promote environmental sustainability.
Tennessee CU, Nashville, is opening a student-run branch in Antioch High School and is serving as the an official sponsor of the school's academy of business and finance. This is the first partnership of its kind in the state, the CU said.
