Northwest Federal Credit Union, Foundation Honored for Children's Book Promoting Financial Education

HERNDON, VA (11/11/2010)(readMedia)-- The Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation has won 3rd Place honors in the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action competition. The competition honors credit unions for their practical application of the "People-Helping-People" philosophy that is the hallmark of the credit union movement. It is sponsored by the Virginia Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

The credit union's award-winning entry highlighted its publication of a children's book designed to help young people learn basic financial lessons, including how to save, spend and share. Written by a Northwest Federal Credit Union employee, Westie's Triple Decker Decision follows the experiences of NWFCU mascot Westie the dog as he learns how to put his financial know-how to work. Proceeds from the book support the financial literacy work of the Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation.

Following a successful launch party in January 2010, the credit union has sold more than 230 copies of the book, and garnered the interest of other credit unions who have asked permission to use the book in their own financial education work with young people.

"Publication of Westie's Triple Decker Decision provides us another tool to use in teaching kids basic personal finance concepts," said Gerrianne Burks, Chairman of Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation and President/CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union. "It's critical that we teach young people how to manage and use money in order to help them achieve their financial dreams and avoid financial pitfalls."

You can order copies of Westie's Triple Decker Decision online at https://www.nwfcu.org/book/default.html. Proceeds from purchases will go directly to NWFCU Foundation to benefit financial education programs in the community.

The competition is named after Louise McCarren Herring, a credit union pioneer, who believed that the operational application of credit union philosophy helped better people's lives.

Northwest Federal Credit Union • www.nwfcu.org • 703-709-8900 • Toll-free 1-800-336-3384

Northwest Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution serving select government employees and 500+ companies throughout Northern Virginia. Established in 1947 and headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, NWFCU is dedicated to providing financial services and education to its members and the community. The credit Union currently serves more than 100,000 members and has assets in excess of $1.9 billion. For more information, visit http://www.nwfcu.org.