Credit Union of Southern California Awards $28,000

to Local Southern California Teachers

December 1, 2004

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deena Otto (562)-365-1882

Whittier, California, December 1, 2004 - Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) awarded over $28,000 to 145 local teachers in 23 school districts in the form of $200 grants through the CU SoCal Student Impact ™ (SIGs) program in November 2004.  Teachers will use the grants for special ideas and projects in their classroom.

“It’s inspiring to see how our teachers have been able to enrich their student’s classroom experience with these $200 grants.  These grants support activities ranging from providing a bus for deaf students to attend a Christmas event to purchasing an aquarium for elementary school students.  In a time when school budgets are being cut, these grants are needed now more than ever”, said Dave Gunderson, CU SoCal President/CEO.

 The SIG program, now in its seventh year, is designed to directly affect schools at the student level.  Each fall local teachers in eligible school districts have the opportunity to apply for a grant by describing the activity or purpose for which the grant would be used and the impact the grant would have on the students. Grants are awarded through a judging panel that consists of former SIG recipients and CU SoCal board volunteers.

 According to Gunderson, this annual program will continue next fall at a similar dollar level to help enrich the classroom experience for teachers and students.

 CU SoCal is proud to be a partner in education…priding itself in world-class service, competitive products, and convenience to Members and local community.  SIGs are open to certificated employees, K-12, in public or private schools in the original 25 school districts served by CU SoCal.  Visit www.cusocal.org or call (562)-698-8326 for further information.  Membership is open to those who live, work or worship in the North Orange County, the San Gabriel Valley and all of the cities in between.