WESTBROOK – The Maine Credit Union movement’s volunteer program, Credit Unions Share for ME, announced an 8 percent increase in volunteer hours in 2004 at the end of National Volunteer Week, April 17 to 23.

The three-year-old, award-winning program documented 16,360.25 hours volunteered by credit union staff and directors from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2004.

Based on figures from the Points of Light Foundation, which calculates the value of one hour volunteered at $17.55, the value of the time volunteered by Maine’s credit unions equaled $287,118 in 2004.

According to the Maine Credit Union League, which coordinates the program, 1,705 staff and volunteers representing Maine’s credit unions participated in the program during the past year.

The top five credit unions donating the most volunteer hours were: Oxford FCU in Mexico, 3,126.50 hours; Saco Valley CU in Saco, 1,995.50; Five County CU in Bath, 1,834.75; Rainbow FCU in Lewiston, 1,476; and Midcoast FCU in Bath, 1,343.

The top five credit unions with the most total volunteers were: Saco Valley, 161; Midcoast, 156; Maine Highlands FCU in Dexter, 147; Oxford in Mexico, 144; and Five County, 130.

Throughout the year, credit union representatives participate in community-related projects, such as school activities, serving on boards, donating blood, youth athletics, soup kitchens and other events and activities.

In 2004, the program averaged 1,363 hours volunteered a month with an average of 142 volunteers participating. Credit Unions Share for ME tracks and updates the volunteer efforts of credit unions on a monthly basis.