Hammond credit union wins national community service award
March 20, 2006

Debbie Alexander (right), the assistant manager of Great Horizons FCU, represented the credit union in Washington, D.C. where she accepted the award from Diana Roberts, chairman of the awards committee for the Credit Union National Association. Alexander’s son, Jason is a cancer survivor and was the inspiration for the credit union’s participation in Hammond’s Relay for Life Event.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Great Horizons Federal Credit Union (FCU) of Hammond has won a second place award in the national competition for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program for credit unions.

This awards program, sponsored by the Indiana Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) honors credit unions for their involvement in community projects and activities. Credit unions of all sizes, from across the country, were honored at a reception in Washington, D.C. recently. Great Horizons FCU won second place in the category for credit unions with assets of $5 million or less.

The credit union's project was titled “Wishing for a Cure, a whole new world, cancer-free,” and encompassed its participation in Relay for Life in Hammond. Using the movie “Aladdin” as a guide, Great Horizons FCU’s campsite took on the appearance of a castle with team members walking in honor of a staff member’s son who is a cancer survivor and an inspiration for everyone at the credit union. In addition to walking in the Relay for Life, the credit union solicited donations and sponsorships from members, businesses and friends to raise $2,670 for the American Cancer Society.

This credit union took second place in its asset category nationally for a similar project last year. This is the fourth time in five years that the credit union has received national recognition for its efforts in Hammond, Ind.

The competition is named after Dora Maxwell, a credit union pioneer, who worked with several organizations to improve the living standards of the poor and needy.

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