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Press Releases 2005

December 15, 2005 - FRANKLIN MINT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AND STATE FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC. SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER

Employees teamed up with City Team Ministries of Chester to sponsor children in the Adopt-A-Family program, and Habitat for Humanity to raise money to help construct homes for the House in a Box program.

Kelly Donnelly, who spearheaded the annual Adopt-A-Family project for the past four years, is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community. She and her co-workers spent a considerable amount of time shopping, collecting and wrapping gifts for ten children between the ages of 1 and 12 in three local families that the organization adopted.

“Each year, our employees look forward to taking part in the Adopt-A-Family program. We’ve participated in this program for 11 years now. By joining forces with City Team Ministries of Chester, employees can help provide area families with gifts and supplies they need to help create a happy holiday season for their families,” Mary Baldwin, Vice President of Human Resources explains.

Sharon DiIllio, Mary Spadaro, Linda Powell and Mary Luberda were equally as busy raising and collecting monetary donations, preparing gift baskets and filling mason jars with dry cookie and brownie ingredients to sell during their craft and bake sale to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s House in a Box program. All proceeds from the sale will be given directly to Habitat for Humanity for purchasing materials to construct new homes.

Through their fund-raising effort, FMFCU and SFN employees want to make a difference in the lives of a family who would be the recipient of a newly constructed home.

“By participating in Habitat’s House in a Box program we have an opportunity to see the fruits of our labor in the physical characteristics of the home. The funds we raised could have purchased doors, windows or constructed walls. It’s rewarding to look at a finished Habitat home and know the funds you raised made it possible for that house to exist,” Sharon DiIllio, SFN Mortgage Servicing Coordinator commented.

For additional information regarding FMFCU or SFN’s participation in these two holiday gift-giving program, contact Christy Trabosh, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at 610-325-5018.

November 22, 2005 - CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE NEW WINTER COATS

To celebrate 10 years of participating in the program, the Bensalem office donated coats to 10 Delaware Valley schools. Christopher Columbus Elementary was one of them. Before the real winter weather hits, Charming Shoppes will have donated a total of 20,000 winter coats to students across the country.

“Sometimes, schools are hesitant to take part in our Winter Coat Program because they think there might be a catch—that’s not so! Charming Shoppes simply wants to give back to the communities we are a part of,” Jack Sullivan, Vice President stated.

In addition to providing coats to Christopher Columbus Elementary students, Sullivan, and employees from local Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant and Catherine’s stores (all part of Charming Shoppes) helped children select from a variety of winter coat styles and colors. While assisting one child, Sullivan heard a little girl say to one of the volunteers, you mean I’m getting a real coat from a real store? He said hearing her comment touched him and brought a tear to his eye.

“Mr. James Rosa (Head of Logistics at Charming Shoppes) and the volunteers from Charming Shoppes have truly demonstrated an example of humanitarianism toward our students by providing each of them with a new, name brand coat, book bag, hat and gloves. Through this program, our children will be prepared for the winter weather,” George J. Ciarrocchi, Principal of Christopher Columbus Elementary School commented.

The elementary school was nominated to receive the winter coats by Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU) as part of their community involvement in Chester.

“We are pleased not only to be this community’s financial institution, but to continue supporting the City of Chester in any way we can,” Mary Baldwin, FMFCU Vice President of Human Resources added.

For additional information about Charming Shoppes or FMFCU, contact Christy Trabosh, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at 610-325-5018.

November 7, 2005 - FRANKLIN MINT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SPONSORS THEATRE PERFORMANCE TO EDUCATE E.T. RICHARDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY

Fifth though eighth grade students watched a unique theatrical performance on financial education, presented by The National Theatre for Children. The students learned valuable lessons through the impromptu, interactive performances. The skits touched on topics like saving, budgeting and credit use.

“We were so pleased to see the student's response to the Googolplex™@school performance. They were entertained and educated about personal finance at the same time,” Rick Durante, FMFCU Director of Education and Assistant Vice President said.

“The earlier children are educated about personal finance, the better their chances are of becoming financially responsible adults,” Durante added.

After the performance, middle school faculty will reinforce the positive financial literacy lessons learned from the performance by teaching financial lessons in their classrooms.

For additional information about FMFCU’s financial literacy program, Partners In Learning, contact Rick Durante, Assistant Vice President and Director of Education at 610-325-5008.

June 13, 2005 - FRANKLIN MINT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOUR AREA STUDENTS

This year, the Credit Union awarded a fourth scholarship, Partners In Learning, created specifically for a graduating senior at Interboro High School in support of the partnership between the Credit Union and that school District. Lacey Canzanese of Essington was named as the first recipient. Each winner received their $1,500 scholarship during an awards banquet held at the Towne House Restaurant in Media.

“This year, a record number of essays were submitted, making the selection process even more difficult for our judges,” said FMFCU Scholarship Program Coordinator, Diane Lastowka.

In order to be considered for an FMFCU scholarship, the student or someone in his or her immediate family must be a Credit Union member. Eligible students are required to compose and submit either a personal statement or essay they would include with a college application. Submissions are then reviewed by a committee of representatives from the educational community and judged on content, mechanics, style and originality.

“The Credit Union is a strong supporter of education and of financial literacy,” says Credit Union President and CEO, John D. Unangst. “We are committed to providing students with a means to help further their education—our scholarship program enables us to do this.”

Heather Farah, a Garnet Valley High School graduate plans on attending the University of Miami this fall double majoring in Motion Picture and Film in the hopes of becoming a director and producer. Her essay was powerful and touching, telling readers about the greatest challenge she had to face thus far in her young life .

There’s so much more to Malvern Preparatory School graduate Christopher Holland than what meets the eye. The essay he submitted illustrated this. He subtly tells readers that what you see on the outside isn’t necessarily what’s on the inside. Christopher plans on pursuing accounting or finance at either Villanova or Penn State.

Jordan Klein’s love for playing the piano and composing his own original musical melodies inspired him to write and submit his essay. This young musician, who began playing the piano about eight years ago, is a graduate of Academy Park High School. It is very fitting that he plans on studying Music this fall at Temple University.

Lacey Canzanese wrote about her future occupational goal. In her essay, she explained that family members, who faced various health challenges coupled with other experiences in her life influenced her to choose a career in pharmacy. The Interboro High School graduate will continue her education at Temple University.

May 24, 2006 - FRANKLIN MINT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AND SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT JOIN EFFORTS TO OPEN A STUDENT-OPERATED BRANCH

“We are very excited about our partnership with FMFCU. Through their financial education program, our students will learn real life application and will have a better sense of money and their own economics. They will leave Springfield High School with marketable skills,” said Principal, Dr. Bridget Kelly of the partnership.

FMFCU’s financial education program was developed ten years ago as a no-cost, non-commercial public service offered to schools and organizations within the Credit Union’s field of membership. The purpose of this program is to provide real life personal finance skills, job training and overall financial literacy.

To put these skills into action, some fortunate Springfield students will literally operate a branch inside their high school under the supervision of FMFCU branch personnel. The on-site branch will offer students, faculty, staff and parents a full service financial institution where they can deposit funds, open free savings and checking accounts and apply for loans. In addition, the school will install an FMFCU ATM for cash withdrawals. The school branch will only be open to those who normally have access to the school.

“The student-operated branch is a true business laboratory. Students learn what it takes to operate a branch without leaving their school and are involved in just about every business decision. We are excited about the learning partnership and are looking forward to working with the Springfield School District community,” comments Rick Durante, FMFCU Assistant Vice President and Director of Education.

Springfield School District Superintendent, Dr. Joseph O’Brien comments, “This is not only a wonderful learning opportunity for our students, but it also is the type of program that will change the lives of some—those fortunate enough to work in the student-operated branch.”

Like all FMFCU employees, students selected as student member service representatives will be fully trained in proper security procedures and the importance of confidentiality when dealing with members’ accounts, and will be held to the same level of responsibility and procedures.

“ This is an exciting time for both the Credit Union and Springfield School District. Not only because FMFCU is opening its second student-operated branch, but because our financial education program will provide these high school students with the tools they need to understand the importance of saving and good money management--skills they will hopefully carry with them throughout their lives,” said John D. Unangst, FMFCU President and CEO.

For additional information on FMFCU’s Partners in Learning or financial literacy programs, contact Rick Durante, Assistant Vice President and Director of Education at 610-325-5008.