Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union, Houston, recently took part in Operation Mailbag. Operation Mailbag is a program through the Texas Credit Union League to enable and empower credit unions to collect items for the troops. The employees of HTFFFCU held a bake sale to raise money for the cause and raised $760 for Operation Interdependence. Several employees contacted their dentists to see if they would be willing to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste and many obliged. HTFFFCU was able to prepare 200 care packages for the brave men and women overseas. AmeriCU Credit Union, Rome, N.Y., recently raised $828.20 for the Rome Humane Society in memory of a special member, Richard Vernold. The Teller Team raised money by selling "Paws for a Cause" and the Loan Department team contributed by selling desserts on Halloween. AmeriCU also had members help raise money for the cause. Silver State Schools Credit Union, Las Vegas, was one of the sponsors of the Reading Rocks literary challenge. Over 50,000 students participated in the program, which was developed and coordinated by CBS Radio. Twelve students (two from each grade level) were randomly picked from all entries to receive various prizes–including rolling backpacks and Borders and Target gift cards from the credit union. Memphis Area Teachers' Credit union, Memphis, Tenn., recently allowed the University of Memphis' ROTC cadets to use the facilities at its headquarters for their annual car wash. "Smarty," the CU's mascot, was also on hand to help promote the car wash. A portion of the money goes toward funding needed equipment such as PT gear, uniforms and to help pay for the annual Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Service Credit Union, Portsmouth, N.H., recently held a food drive that collected 815 pounds of nonperishable food items. President/CEO Gordon Simmons was expected to make a match of $3/lb (or $2,445). Instead Simmons wrote a check for $25,000 and presented it to New Hampshire Food Bank Executive Director Melanie Gosselin. Connex Credit Union, New Haven, Conn., awarded $300 to Sarah Inc. to help support the education, emotional and social development of disadvantaged seniors throughout Connecticut. The Seniors in Action Program fosters the development of community relationships through collaborative efforts with local senior centers, town parks, recreation departments and schools. Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union, Northfield, N.J., collected more than 20 bags and boxes of canned goods and dry food items to benefit the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Credit union employees, members and visitors donated items ranging from canned vegetables, cranberry sauce and pumpkin to stuffing mixes, instant mashed potatoes, drink mixes, coffee and tea. The food items were delivered to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission just in time for Thanksgiving. Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Lowell, Mass., recently held its first annual Turkey Day Bake Sale to support the Credit Unions of Massachusetts Kids at Heart program for Children's Hospital Boston. JDCU is again sponsoring a Children's Patient Partner, Maggie King, and her runner, Joan Strodel, who will be running in the 2007 Boston Marathon. JDCU employees volunteered to bake goods for the sale and members and employees were encouraged to purchase the items for the holiday. The sale was a huge success and all proceeds were donated to the Kids at Heart program. Pueblo Government Agencies Federal Credit Union, Pueblo, Colo., gave the first donation of over $340 from its board, members and staff to the Salvation Army to help those in need in Pueblo. During the Holiday Lighting Extravaganza at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, the donation was given to Captain Samuel S. Rodriquez to help kick off the annual "Salvation Army Kettle Kick Off."