Georgia credit unions are making a positive impact in their communities in a variety of creative ways, and Georgia Credit Union Affiliates recognizes those efforts with an annual statewide awards program.
 
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Award honors credit unions for their outstanding efforts in community projects and activities. The Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action commends credit unions for making exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in daily operations and member services. The Desjardins awards recognize leadership on behalf of youth and adult financial literacy initiatives.
 
For the second consecutive year, Georgia United Credit Union's School Crashers program has earned the Dora Maxwell Award for the $1 billion+ asset category. The program offers any accredited schools in Georgia the opportunity to submit a 250-word statement why their school should receive a facility makeover. In its third year, the program brings together volunteers and business partners to deliver a major facelift to one deserving school and school improvement projects to five runner-up schools. Nominated by student Chloe Riggins, Oakcliff Elementary in Doraville was chosen for this year's school makeover.
 
"At Georgia United Credit Union, we believe there is power in Shared Strength, and that taking care of each other is not just the best way, but the only way," said President and CEO Debbie Smith. "A tremendous example of Shared Strength is bringing neighbors and businesses together to support local schools and to improve the learning environment for children."
 
In the $50 million - $250 million asset category, Southeastern Credit Union won for its Fill-a-Truck for Hunger Food Drive. The 2016 campaign is presently underway in the 10 South Georgia counties served by the credit union. Southeastern set a community goal of 20,000 pounds of food, and if met, the credit union will match by donating the funds to purchase a second truckload of food for local food bank Second Harvest of South Georgia. Recent estimates have the amount raised in food and funds at the equivalent of 18,000 pounds of food with just over a week to go in the community-wide effort.

"We are honored to receive the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award from GCUA.  This award embodies the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people,' and Southeastern is proud to be recognized for the philanthropic work we do in the South Georgia communities we serve," said E. Michael Gudely, Southeastern CU President/CEO.
Associated Credit Union ($1 billion+ asset category) earned the state's Louise Herring Award for its Rate Reward Auto Loan program.

"ACU wanted to find a way to offer our members with less-than-perfect credit an option that would not leave them with too high rates and too much debt," explained Jeffrey Bergum, Vice President of Retail Services. "We wanted a way to build a partnership with our membership, and by offering a program that helps them establish a good credit history, they'll trust us to come back to us for their other needs...and the money they'll be saving - up to $600 over the life of the loan in interest - will help them build equity in the car and in turn help them afford life."

DOCO Credit Union ($250 million - $1 billion asset category) is a perennial winner of the Desjardins Financial Education Award. The credit union's financial literacy initiatives are aimed at improving the financial wellbeing of its 40,000 members, especially young people.

"We believe a strong financial foundation is the key to a solid and successful future," noted Director of Marketing Becky Belcher in the credit union's submission. "We house numerous online education tools including an assortment of financial literacy webinars. These tools are accessible to anyone, and include a number of youth-appropriate financial literacy topics."

The credit union also leverages its Select Employee Group relationships with public and private schools in a 22-county area to develop and provide financial programming to students from pre-K through college.

The award-winning submissions from Georgia have been entered in the national awards program administered by the Credit Union National Association, with those results to be announced in October.