A Maine Savings Credit Union exclusive partnership with theUniversity of Maine Athletics Department and Black Bear SportsProperties resulted in a $13,744 donation to the Black BearFund.

The Black Bear Fund provides scholarships to University of Mainestudent athletes.

Last year, in conjunction with its College Ave branch opening,Maine Savings announced a five-year partnership with Black BearSports Properties to provide members with a specially-brandedUniversity of Maine Black Bear Debit Card.

For every purchase made with the Black Bear debit card, MaineSavings agreed to contribute $0.05 to the Black Bear Fund, with acommitment to donating a minimum of $10,000 each year.

“The support our members have shown for Black Bear studentathletes has been amazing,” said John Reed, president/CEO of the$296 million credit union based in Hampden, Maine. “We're proud tosupport the Black Bears and this program shows that our membersare, too.”

According to University of Maine Director of Athletics KarltonCreech, the university has been “blown away” by the level ofsupport from Maine Savings and its members in this inauguralyear.

“Like most universities, we need to rely on partnershipslike this to make our athletics program as good as it can be. MaineSavings is a terrific partner and we're delighted to have the BlackBear Debit Card hard at work for us,” Creech said.