HARRISBURG, PA (May 27, 2014) -- The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association (PCUA) handed out its most prestigious awards during its 80th Annual Convention held May 18-20 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hundreds of conferees from throughout the state attended the convention The following individuals were honored for their contributions to the movement:
· Kipp Stecher, Retired President/CEO of AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union of Enola, received the William W. Pratt Award for Outstanding Professional of the Year.
· Charles Lantz, Chairman of Hidden River Credit Union of Pottsville, received the Joseph A. Moore Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
The 2014 Credit Union Youth Ambassador of Pennsylvania was won by Lauren Hoffman, 23, of Mechanicsburg. For the next year, as the Credit Union Youth Ambassador of Pennsylvania, Hoffman will represent the PCUA at events. Hoffman is a Marketing Specialist at AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, and represented the Harrisburg Chapter of Credit Unions
The First Alternate was awarded to Steven Dill, 25, of Erie. He is employed as a Contact Center Supervisor at Widget Financial, Erie, and represented the Erie Chapter of Credit Unions. The Second Alternate went to Devan DeShong, 25, of Dallastown. DeShong is a Network Administrator at Frist Capital Federal Credit Union, York, and represented the York Chapter of Credit Unions.
A number of awards were presented to credit unions in recognition of their work within their communities.
The Desjardins Financial Education Awards recognize the financial literacy efforts of credit unions in educating youth. Awards were presented to:
· Youth Financial Education Award
$50 to $150 Million in Assets
First Place: HealthCare First Credit Union, Johnstown
$150 to $500 Million in Assets
First Place: Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union, Chalfont
Honorable Mention: Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Danville
More than $500 Million in Assets
First Place: TruMark Financial Credit Union, Trevose
· Adult Financial Education Award
First Place: Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union, Chalfont
The Dora Maxwell Awards for Social Responsibility Award signifies a commitment to volunteering time, energy, and resources to boost the living standards of others. Awards were presented to:
$50 to $100 Million in Assets
First Place: HealthCare First Credit Union, Johnstown
Honorable Mention: PALCO Federal Credit Union, Muncy
$100 to $200 Million in Assets
First Place: WEST-AIRCOMM Federal Credit Union, Beaver
$200 to $500 Million in Assets
First Place: Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union, Chalfont
Honorable Mention: Belco Community Credit Union, Harrisburg
More Than $1 Billion in Assets
First Place: TruMark Financial Credit Union, Trevose
Honorable Mention: American Heritage Federal Credit Union, Philadelphia
The Louise Herring Awards for Philosophy in Action Award displays how credit unions put People Helping People credit union philosophy into action. Awards were presented to:
Less than $50 Million in Assets
First Place: City Co Federal Credit Union, Pittsburgh
Assets $50 to $250 Million
First Place: HealthCare First Credit Union, Johnstown
Assets $ 250 Million to $1 Billion
First Place: Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union, Chalfont
More than $1 Billion Million in Assets
First Place: TruMark Financial Credit Union, Trevose
The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association also recognizes achievement in marketing materials to credit unions. Annually, awards are presented to credit unions for their good work in creating annual reports, newsletters, and websites.
In the Credit Union Annual Report Contest, awards were given in three asset groups:
Less than $30 Million in Assets
First Place: Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union, Cranberry Twp.
Honorable Mention: Pagoda Federal Credit Union, Reading
$30 to $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Heritage Valley Federal Credit Union, York
Honorable Mention: Choice One Community Federal Credit Union, Wilkes-Barre
More Than $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Erie Federal Credit Union, Erie
Honorable Mention: Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Danville
In the Credit Union Newsletters Contest, awards were given in three asset groups:
Less than $30 Million in Assets
First Place: ClearChoice Federal Credit Union, Wyomissing
Honorable Mention: Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union, Cranberry Twp.
$30 to $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Choice One Community Federal Credit Union, Wilkes-Barre
Honorable Mention: PALCO Federal Credit Union, Muncy
More Than $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Danville
Honorable Mention: Widget Financial, Erie
In the Credit Union Website Contest, awards were given in three asset groups:
Less than $30 Million
First Place: ClearChoice Federal Credit Union, Wyomissing
Honorable Mention: Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union, Cranberry Twp.
$30 to $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Heritage Valley Federal Credit Union, York
Honorable Mention: Choice One Community Federal Credit Union, Wilkes-Barre
More Than $100 Million in Assets
First Place: Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Danville
Honorable Mention: TruMark Financial Credit Union, Trevose
Credit unions are financial cooperatives that provide affordable financial services to help their owner/members. The Harrisburg-based Pennsylvania Credit Union Association is a trade association that provides legislative, promotional, educational, and operational support for nearly 400 credit unions in Pennsylvania. These credit unions have assets in excess of $38 billion and serve more than 3.8 million members. For additional information about credit unions or to find a credit union near you, visit www.ibelong.org.