FPCU raises $32K in “Big Give”. Getting their inspiration from Oprah’s Big Give TV show, Financial Plus CU raised $32,310.91 for local individuals in need as part of its own Big Give fundraiser. A total of 65 employees from the CU’s Ottawa, Peru and Mendota branches were each given and grew $100 in seed money through raffles, auctions and fundraisers and four weeks to raise the funds. Most picked not-for-profit organizations in the area, which in turn directed them to specific people who could benefit from the fundraiser.

USA One supports local scholarships. USA One CU is supporting the Village of Matteson's DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS® program, which raises funds in the immediate community to help graduates from four local high schools pursue their dream of higher education. USA One Credit Union joined with several other local businesses to contribute funds and pledge their long term support at the May 23rd DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS Award Banquet, and its employees also volunteered to encourage participation by more local businesses, as well as to serve as review panelists to streamline the distribution of funds to deserving young people. Last year DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS awarded $29 million nationwide to high school graduates planning to attend college or trade or technical school. For more information, visit http://www.scholarshipamerica.org.

CU supports annual "Bike Rodeo". Corporate America Family Credit Union and other local businesses teamed up to help raise bike safety awareness at the Third Annual Warrenville Bike Rodeo on Saturday, May 10. Residents of Warrenville and neighboring areas gathered in the Warrenville City Hall parking lot to learn how to protect themselves and their children while riding their bikes this summer. The bicycle safety program was provided by the Warrenville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

WSIU Airs Biz Kid$. WSIU, the PBS affiliate that serves the southern-most part of Illinois, began airing episodes of Biz Kid$ on May 28. The show is broadcast on Thursdays and Fridays at 2:30 p.m. SIU Credit Union has partnered with WSIU as the local sponsor for the show. SIU CU is promoting Biz Kid$ to its members and encouraging educators to tune in to the show. Check out www.bizkids.org for more details about the show.

Upcoming Grant Deadline. The second review of 2008 grants (Community Service, Small Credit Union Development, Marketing and Business Development, and Financial Independence & Revitalization Effort (FIRE)) will take place following the July 31 application deadline. Printable application forms are available on the ICUL Web site. Grant application review deadlines are March 31, July 31, and October 31. Grant seekers are encouraged to complete and return the application form to the Foundation as early in the year as possible since grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be reviewed as long as grant funds are available. If you have any questions about the grant programs, contact Vicki Ponzo or Melanie Murphy at the Foundation using the toll-free number 800-942-7124.

New CEOs. Welcome to the following new CEOs of Illinois credit unions:
AM Castle EFCU - Mary Scianna
Area Educational CU - Kerry Fearn
Atlas Community CU - Jonathon Norman
CTA C&M FCU - Yoki Davis
Granite City EFCU - Lisa Reeves
Kankakee County Federal EFCU - Janice Burmeister
LIFE CU - Angie Bailey
Parish Members CU - Linda Blackburn
S&C ECU - Douglas Buier
Select ECU - Susan Branch
SIU CU - William Capie
University of Illinois ECU - E.J. Donaghey

Retirements. Best wishes to the following CU CEOs who recently retired:
Area Educational CU - John Swick
Kankakee County Federal EFCU - Carol Hunger
S&C ECU - Susan Jason
SIU CU - Ron Lantrip

Grand Openings. The following credit unions opened new facilities recently:
Community Plus CU in Champaign
Consumers CU in Waukegan
DuPage CU in Wheaton
First Community CU (MO) in Belleville
GCS FCU in O'Fallon
University of Illinois ECU in Urbana
Vantage CU (MO) in East St. Louis

Passings. The credit union movement mourns the loss of Russell Imel, former board chairman at I.H. Mississippi Valley CU; William H. "Bud" Reimer, Jr., former board chairman at Gale CU; Linda Hawkins, long-time board member at Bloomington Municipal CU; Urban A. "Chink" Dupuis, founding board member of Cognis CU, John "J.R." Ridge, vice-president-wealth management at Baxter CU; George Hitchcock, former board member of Morris CU; and Walter H. Eichel, founding board member at Decatur Signal Deport CU (now Land of Lincoln CU).

Education Calendar. Add to your knowledge or sharpen your skills by attending one or more of these outstanding educational events.