Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility
The Dora Maxwell Award recognizes outstanding efforts in community service

First place…Great Horizons FCU
Beacon of Hope / Relay for Life
Employing a "Beacon of Hope" theme for their 2005 entry into the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, this Hammond credit union sponsored team members who were asked to walk or run laps around a track from dusk until dawn. The people-helping-people event embodies the positive credit union philosophy and Great Horizons FCU’s participation sought to raise $2,142 ($2.25 per CU member) to be used for research, prevention, patient services, detection and the treatment of cancer. The credit union’s campaign also raised awareness in addition to funds.  Donors were informed that much of the money raised stays in the local community, for example. Through such promotional activities as the sale of "beanies" and "feet" displayed in branch lobbies, Great Horizons FCU raised nearly $3000, exceeding its goal by $800 and providing a true "Beacon of Hope" in the ongoing fight against cancer.

First place…Evansville FCU
Lunch and Learn Program
Extending its commitment in the area of financial education beyond its membership and out into the larger community, Evansville FCU in 2005 conducted a series of highly effective, one-hour Lunch and Learn sessions on the last Thursday of each month. While the lunchtime events were open to members and guests, this credit union went even further and sent speakers to address community groups on the vital subject of financial education. Their Budgeting 101 class, for example, taught attendees how to make use of an Excel spreadsheet to manage their household expenses. Calling upon local experts in the fields of real estate and investment banking, Evansville FCU served as an effective educational conduit and financial facilitator for both its members and the community at large. The credit union employed its staff and its marketing arm, which used direct-mail postcards, to promote the free Lunch and Learn events. In addition to the lectures, attendees were provided with pizza and valuable learning materials. Evansville FCU demonstrated how successful financial education can effectively be carried out on a relatively low-cost basis. All it takes is some commitment…and a little pizza!

Second place…Unicorp FCU
Riley Children’s Hospital Fundraising Campaign
When any child becomes ill, it touches the heart of all who learn about it. And when the people affected are members of your own credit union family, then the matter becomes particularly poignant. Unicorp FCU in St. John has supported the work of Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for years, but when their Member Services Supervisor, Tina Zuccarelli, had an experience with her own son at a similar Chicago children’s hospital, the real value of that type of support came into clear focus. Hence her credit union decided to do something more than usual in 2005 to benefit the children at Riley. Employees were asked to pay $3 for the privilege of wearing jeans to work on Fridays, for example. The sale of Riley Christmas cards and tags, along with Golden Opportunity coupon books helped to add to the coffers. A raffle was organized offering prizes donated by the Indiana Pacers, the Marriot Indianapolis, Champion Sports Bar and others. First prize was a getaway weekend featuring courtside tickets to the Pacers vs. Bulls game in Indianapolis. The campaign was publicized heavily, including the use of the credit union’s magnificent Christmas tree with ornaments created by young Riley Hospital patients. The project helped to raise awareness among staff, members and the general community and succeeded in raising over $1,200 for Riley showing what can be accomplished when hearts that are touched lead to positive action.

First place…General CU
Walk to Cure Diabetes / Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
It’s not often that an organization is able raise nearly double its stated goal for a worthy charitable cause. But that’s exactly what this Fort Wayne credit union accomplished on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a group it has supported for the past three years. The credit union set its campaign goal at $5,000, $1,000 over the amount raised the prior year. Fundraising activities included the operation of a chicken barbecue port-a-pit at a local shopping center. The credit union also fielded a team to participate in the "Walk to Cure Diabetes" held on October 15, 2005. Via corporate sponsorships, matching funds and by asking employees to pay $1 to wear jeans and a company shirt two days each week, more money was raised. Special JDRF bracelets and sneakers were sold in branch lobbies and a beautiful afghan, crocheted by a GCU employee was auctioned off. In addition to money, awareness about Juvenile Diabetes among the credit union’s staff and membership was raised.  The campaign raised a total of $9,316 for Juvenile Diabetes research proving that when it comes to community commitment, you can’t set your sights too high.

First place…Fort Financial FCU
Hurricane Katrina — Chaos to Comfort
Like all Americans, this Fort Wayne credit union was moved by the suffering and devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina and its wake. And like many, Fort Financial FCU rolled up its sleeves and got to work to help out. Starting mere days after the tragedy, Fort Financial’s people began holding fundraisers to benefit hurricane victims. Specifically directing the money raised towards Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery, America’s Second Home and the American Red Cross, the Chaos to Comfort ad hoc committee showed enormous creativity in planning activities that would net a high return. Such low initial investment programs as the sale of marbled plastic Hurricane Katrina bracelets, volunteer crafts sales, and branch bake sales helped bring in the needed cash. The credit union’s Illinois branch put on a chili supper for evacuees being housed in their area and aided in the distribution of Wal-Mart gift cards for the purchase of household items. Through the use of matching funds and effective marketing and promotional initiatives, Fort Financial FCU raised over $7,000 which was used to meet the needs of Katrina victims and move them further from the chaos and closer to regaining the comfort of their normal lives.

First place…Elkhart County Farm Bureau CU
American Cancer Society "Relay for Life"
Because of cancer’s profound impact on the economic and emotional well being of a community, the struggle to combat it is one that unites people from all walks of life. Nowhere is this more true than in Elkhart where the FBCU has served as a stalwart community leader. While actively participating in such American Cancer Society fundraisers as Daffodil Days and its annual golf outing, it is the Relay for Life that illustrates this credit union’s deep-felt commitment to the fight against cancer. Via corporate dollars donated, staff hours volunteered and wide membership participation, FBCU successfully raised nearly $9,000 in this ongoing struggle. FBCU team members walked each of the slots during the 18-hour event while volunteers supplied the snacks and refreshments. A campsite fundraiser and other Relay for Life activities added to the kitty. Promoted through lobby displays and the sale of  "feet" at the branches, FBCU’s involvement sent a clear message to the public: We are committed to give back to the communities in which we operate.

Second place…Bayer FCU
Financial Literacy Seminar Program
Recognizing the fact that Indiana suffers from one of the highest per capita bankruptcy rates in the nation, the leadership of this Elkhart credit union decided to become proactive and help promote financial literacy through educational programs aimed at members and the general community. It was felt that the key to encouraging people to spend their money wisely was to educate them on issues that are seemingly difficult to grasp: interest rates, mortgages, credit ratings, etc. The target audience for the financial education seminars was identified as those employed at the credit union’s SEGs as well as high school students. Five area businesses were approached and established one hour lunchtime seminars that attracted capacity crowds. The seminars were promoted via in-house flyers, break room posters, and company bulletins. Enthusiastic employee volunteers taught the seminars. While no statistical analysis has yet been conducted to measure the impact of the seminars on area bankruptcy rates, the goals of program — getting people involved and educated about how to become more fiscally responsible — were clearly achieved.

Honorable Mention…Finance Center FCU
International Center Financial Literacy Training Program
This credit union provides quarterly financial literacy training for foreign-born families who live and work in Indianapolis. Facing the growth of its community’s immigrant population, the Finance Center FCU decided to take positive action. Realizing that immigrants often fall victim to high fees for financial services and high interest rates from sub-prime lenders, a preventive education program was established to both teach the basics of American-style financial management and to alert new Americans to the dangers of fraud and identity theft. Working with Crime Stoppers’ Spanish-language hotline, the International Center and La Plaza Hispanic Center, the credit union has been an effective and trusted resource as it reaches out to its increasingly diverse community.

Honorable Mention…Professional FCU
Hurricane Katrina Relief — RV Donation
Fulfilling its mandate on behalf of social responsibility, this Fort Wayne credit union did its part creatively by aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina — one displaced family at a time. The credit union identified a Mississippi family of three whose home had been severely damaged. One family member works for a Mississippi credit union and the Mississippi Credit Union Association referred her family’s plight to Pro Fed. The credit union’s board agreed to meet the family’s temporary housing need by dispatching a recently repossessed recreational vehicle. In addition, Pro Fed’s staff and board members contributed needed food and clothing that was stocked into the RV before it was driven to Jackson and delivered to the family.

First place…FORUM CU
Spirit Advisory Council
Early in 2005, this Fishers-based credit union established the FORUM Spirit Advisory Council: a committee of 14 employees charged with formalizing the company’s community relations efforts. They quickly set an agenda aimed at comprehensively coordinating the many community service projects involving the credit union and its employees. The Council has to date demonstrably succeeded in empowering its people to give freely of their time and talents. By creating an ongoing infrastructure, FORUM has boosted its participation and effectiveness in a wide range of worthy community causes, such as the American Cancer Society’s "Relay for Life," the Credit Union Foundation’s Efforts to Aid Hurricane Katrina Victims, the Second Helping Foodbank, United Way "Day of Caring," and a host of others.

Second place…Evansville Teachers FCU
Celebrate the Season of Giving
This credit union helped to make the holiday season bright for those in need in 2005. From Thanksgiving through December 16, ETFCU held special seasonal events at all nine of their locations aimed at collecting cash, food and toy donations for local charities. Attendees were treated to candy canes, cookies and hot chocolate and were entertained by Christmas carolers. The successful events were promoted via newsletters, lobby cards, and TV and radio live remote coverage. Thanks to ETFCU’s efforts hundreds of needy local families enjoyed a merrier Christmas while even more of the credit unions’s members were touched by the true spirit of the season — the Season of Giving.

Honorable Mention…Indiana Members CU
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
In June 2005 this Indianapolis credit union participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraising event to benefit cancer research. The 24-hour event called for the credit union’s employee volunteers to continuously walk a high-school indoor track. Participants from the credit union’s twenty branches and departments were organized into two teams for some friendly competition. Money was raised via candy bar sales, garage sales, car washes, raffling vendor-donated gifts and a special luncheon. The six-week campaign enjoyed a tremendous level of employee support and this fact accounted for its success, raising over $16,500 for cancer research. The event was promoted through intramural competition to see which branch could raise the most money as well as conventional marketing involving posters, custom buttons and a Ms. Relay pageant. Direct mail and email was used to publicize the various fund-raising events held at the branches. When it came to participation level and dollars raised, this credit union went the distance.

The Louise Herring Award
The Louise Herring Award recognizes excellence in Credit Union philosophy in action.

First Place…Finance Center FCU
Member Financial Literacy Training
The philosophy behind credit unions calls for them to serve as more than mere depositories of their members’ wealth. The idea is to enable credit union members to become more informed and more financially responsible citizens. The Financial Literacy Training program at the Financial Center in Indianapolis embodies this principal to the fullest. Consisting of 21 member training sessions over a 12 month period, the course offers valuable information about such vital financial topics as the home purchase process, IRA contributions, and long-term financial planning, among others. Taught by employee volunteers, the classes are enhanced using PowerPoint presentations, workbooks and interactive exercises. The mission of the training program is encapsulated in the credit union’s new slogan: "We succeed only when you succeed." With classes in BillPayer Training and Youth Financial Planning, the classes go a long way toward enlightening a large portion of the membership about how to implement the credit union’s many products and services to their own financial benefit. To date, 123 members have completed the training program and the plan is for more such courses to be offered in the future. A future made brighter by a more well informed and financially literate membership.

The Alphonse Desjardins Awards
The Alphonse Desjardins Awards recognize excellence in youth financial literacy efforts.

First Place…Perfect Circle CU
Financial Education Roadshow
Adhering to the adage "It’s easier to build a child than to change an adult," Perfect Circle CU in Hagerstown mounted a series of highly effective educational outreach programs aimed at promoting financial literacy among area young people. Employing everything from traveling billboards to promotional DVDs, Perfect Circle CU got the word out to teens and young adults. Once such program, the Financial Education Roadshow, involved a series of free seminars at business and organizational venues across Wayne and Henry Counties. By sending speakers into area high schools through the Community In Schools (CIS) program, this credit union also succeeded in reaching hundreds of area students and educating them about such financial basics as balancing a checkbook. Seminars such as "How to Raise a Money Smart Child" were also offered to parents.

Second Place…Evansville FCU
"Together, we’ll make it happen."
Taking a strong frontline stand in the battle against financial illiteracy, this credit union is taking to the message directly to area young people. Via three youth-oriented programs: CU Discover^® (ages 12 and under), CU Succeed^® (ages 13-17) and CU Achieve^® (students 18-22), EFCU has been effectively teaching young people about money. Using kid-produced newsletters, participants learn about the importance of saving, for example. The program has reached out to the local high school system where the CU sponsors the very popular Live the Game role-playing game. The game effectively teaches the value of budgeting, investing, and retirement planning. Through an effective media campaign, Evansville FCU has succeeded in informing teachers, school officials, credit union members, elected officials and the media about the growing problem of financial illiteracy among our youth. By training teachers, supplying in-school programming and working with organizations such as Southwest Indiana Network for Education (SINE), Evansville FCU is making things happen — in a very positive way — for the young people of its community.

First Place…Bayer FCU
NEFE education program at the Bashor Children’s Home
By spreading the word about financial responsibility among those who would most benefit from the message — area troubled youth — this Elkhart-based credit union has succeeded in building enthusiasm and financial awareness among an historically underserved segment of its community. Bayer FCU established a series of 8 monthly 75-minute classes at the Bashor Children’s Home in September 2005, aimed at its population of 16- to19-year olds. The classes incorporated the National Endowment for Financial Education’s High School Financial Planning curriculum and employed teaching materials provided by NEFE. The credit union also enlisted the Goshen High School business class to teach sessions on the importance of credit. Benefiting from creative teaching techniques, such as Question/Bingo games and after learning about Bayer FCU’s innovative Generation Z youth account program, the program’s 15 young participants received their certificates of completion in May 2006.

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