The collective fundraising success of Maine’s credit unions through the 2004 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger resulted in nearly $70,000 in funds to be returned to credit unions to distribute to hunger organizations in their own communities. In all, four Cumberland County credit unions made the list, including GPM CU in South Portland finishing number one in total funds raised and number two in highest per member contributions.

The Campaign recently announced the top fundraising credit unions from the 2004 Campaign and reported that a total of thirty-six Maine credit unions received funds totaling nearly $70,000 to distribute to hunger organizations of their choice in their own communities.

The Maine Credit Union League’s Social Responsibility Committee released the list of its top Credit Unions for its 2004 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, which raised a record-setting $215,743.70. With all administrative costs or expenses covered, 100% of the funds raised stay in Maine and go directly to helping to end hunger. The top twenty-five campaign fundraisers in two categories received grants and will distribute them to local food banks and hunger organizations throughout the year.

Jon Paradise, Governmental & Public Affairs Manager for the Maine Credit Union League, which organizes the Campaign, said that part of the uniqueness of the campaign is the fact that it returns funds to credit unions. He continued, “Credit unions are part of the communities they serve and, although this is a statewide initiative by the Maine CU Movement, rewarding credit unions for their hard work and fundraising success through these grants brings the campaign back to the local level. Credit unions are member-owned organizations so, by their very nature, they are local. Having an impact on the local level is a very important part of this Campaign.”

Here are the top Credit Unions for the 2004 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger:

Total $$ Raised and location of main office:

1. GPM CU, South Portland $11,532.00

2. Maine Highlands FCU, Dexter $10,349.73

3. York County FCU, Sanford $9,470.09

4. Maine Savings FCU, Hampden $7,874.00

5. Town & Country FCU, South Portland $7,145.50

6. Bangor FCU, Bangor $5,718.50

7. St. Joseph’s CU, Biddeford $5,004.00

8. Sebasticook Valley FCU, Pittsfield $4,555.43

9. Maine State CU, Augusta $4,231.92

10. Franklin-Somerset FCU, Farmington $4,229.19

11. Seaboard FCU, Bucksport $4,095.00

12, Casco FCU, Gorham $3,838.59

13. Five County CU, Bath $3,743.37

14. La Vallee FCU, Madawaska $3,676.12

15. Otis FCU, Jay $3,430.48

16. Penobscot County FCU, Old Town $3,408.88

17. EMMC FCU, Bangor $3,263.35

18. Winslow Community FCU, Winslow $3,167.00

19. St. Agatha FCU, St. Agatha $3,151.50

20. Rainbow FCU, Lewiston $3,131.00

21. The County FCU, Caribou $2,947.00

22. Notre Dame FCU, Waterville $2,741.39

23. KSW FCU, Waterville $2,518.18

24. Ste. Croix Regional FCU, Lewiston $2,500.00

25. (tie) Maine Family FCU, Lewiston $2,251.00

Midcoast FCU, Bath $2,251.00

Highest Per Member Contribution and location of main office:

1. St. Agatha FCU, St. Agatha $1.78

2. GPM CU, South Portland $1.36

3. La Vallee FCU, Madawaska $1.11

4. Maine Education CU, Augusta $0.89

5. Maine Highlands FCU, Dexter $0.87

6. Bangor Hydro FCU, Bangor $0.69

7. York County FCU, Sanford $0.65

8. Casco FCU, Gorham$0.64

9. Winslow Community FCU, Winslow $0.60

10. Sebasticook Valley FCU, Pittsfield $0.54

11. Lewiston Municipal FCU, Lewiston $0.52

12. Penobscot County FCU, Old Town $0.51

13. EMMC FCU, Bangor$0.50

14. Greater Waterville Area FCU, Waterville $0.46

15. Seaboard FCU, Bucksport $0.44

16. (tie) Bangor FCU, Bangor $0.42

Franklin-Somerset FCU, Farmington $0.42

17. Sabattus Regional CU, Sabattus $0.40

18. Town & Country FCU, South Portland $0.39

19. Alliance of Maine FCU, Augusta $0.37

20. (tie) St. Joseph’s CU, Biddeford $0.36

Monmouth FCU, Monmouth $0.36

21. (tie) Notre Dame FCU, Waterville $0.35

Otis FCU, Jay$0.35

22. Gardiner FCU, Gardiner $0.33

23. (tie) Riverview FCU, Gardiner $0.32

Maine Savings FCU, Hampden $0.32

24. KSW FCU, Waterville$0.30

25. Taconnet FCU, Winslow $0.29

Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised more than $1.755 million to help end hunger in Maine. 100% of all money raised goes to ending hunger and stays in Maine.

Founded in 1938, the Maine Credit Union League is the State Trade Association for Maine’s 74-affiliated credit unions providing a variety of services and products to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of their membership. Find a credit union at www.mainecul.org.

Ralph Ferland, chairman of the board of the Maine Credit Union League, presents the first-place plaque to Catie Scribner of Greater Portland Municipal Credit Union, the credit union that raised the most funds during the 2004 Maine Credit Unionsor Maine hunger-fighting organizations.

Copy the Story Link