Work with Children's Charities Earns Chartway Federal Credit Union Community Service Award

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (11/05/2010)(readMedia)-- Chartway Federal Credit Union has won 2nd Place in the state Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program for credit unions. The Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program, sponsored by the Virginia Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association, honors credit unions for their involvement in community projects and activities.

Chartway and its charitable arm -- the We Promise Foundation -- were honored for their work with various charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children and teens with life-threatening illnesses; the Front Row Foundation, a non-profit that provides front row seats to concerts, sporting events and live performances for families and individuals braving critical health challenges; and Families of Autistic Children.

The organizations invested more than 2,200 volunteer hours in raising more than $408,000 for its charitable partners, primarily through their black-tie Diamonds in the Sky Gala and through an annual Charity Golf Classic. Donated funds fulfilled the dreams of 112 children struggling with a life-threatening illness or severe hardship.

"There are two core principles that drive our credit union: that we have an obligation to give back to our communities and that we must always strive to deliver superior service to our members," says Ron Burniske, president/CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union. "I'm proud of the work we do in our communities. Watching a child learn that his or her dream will come true is priceless."

About the We Promise Foundation®

As the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union, the We Promise Foundation is dedicated to making dreams come true for children struggling with degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship.

The foundation provides funding within the communities the credit union serves with a single goal: to put smiles on a child's face by making their dreams come true. The foundation was launched in 2005 based on the enduring success of Chartway's previous charitable events. Since 1999, Chartway and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $2.9 million in support of numerous Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters, St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater, Toby's Dream Foundation, The Front Row Foundation, Rock-n-Jock Charities and more. For more information, click on wepromisefoundation.org.

About Chartway Federal Credit Union

Chartway Federal Credit Union, chartered in 1959, is a not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., with assets of more than $1.8 billion. Founded on the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," Chartway's fundamental goal continues to be to enhance the lives and financial stability of more than 210,000 members.

The organization provides services in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Chartway offers financial services including checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, online banking, insurance and investment counseling to members. For more information, visit www.chartway.com.

The competition is named after Dora Maxwell, a credit union pioneer, who worked with several organizations to improve the living standards of the poor and needy.