Youthful Savers Earn Prizes

May 30, 2006

Information: Patty Okahara, Marketing Manager
Phone (808) 930-7651

Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i - Three youth members of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU) were awarded special prizes for their efforts at saving during the 2006 Youth Savings Challenge.
Kamaile Gusman of North Kohala won a Leap Frog Learning System in the 0 to 6-year-old category; Taylor Aweau, also from North Kohala, won a portable DVD player in the 7 to 12-year old division; and Jessica Lopez of Kailua-Kona won an iPod Nano in the 13 to 18-year-old group. These youth members all visited an HCFCU branch in April to make a deposit into their account and, at the same time, fill out an entry form for the contest.

The Third Annual Youth Savings Challenge - a nation-wide event - was termed a success. In just one week's time 364 credit unions across the United States welcomed more than 66,000 youth who deposited more than $9.6 million - more than doubling the amount deposited nationwide during the 2005 Youth Savings Challenge.

Locally, HCFCU's five branches topped their goal for deposits, garnering 66 new accounts and 396 deposits for a total of $68,535.09. Each child who came in to make a deposit received an incentive gift and was eligible to fill out a prize form.

This year's youth week theme - "My Money, My Credit Union - Where I Belong" - was aimed at helping children to understand the importance of saving and financial planning while explaining the credit union philosophy of "people helping people."

HCFCU has been serving Island of Hawai`i residents since 1936. It is a $296 million asset, not-for-profit credit union that is wholly owned by its 32,400 members. In addition to providing complete checking and savings services, the credit union also offers credit cards; auto, mortgage, construction, small business, educational and personal loans; investment services; money saving programs and more. It sponsors three Student Credit Unions, located at Kealakehe, Kohala and Konawaena high schools, and supports numerous Island of Hawai`i community programs and events. For more information, visit www.hicommfcu.com.