LEWISTON – Ste. Croix Regional Federal Credit Union of Androscoggin County recently received a second-place Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award for credit unions.

The Social Responsibility Recognition Award Program, sponsored by the Maine Credit Union League and CUNA and Affiliates, honors credit unions for their involvement in community projects and activities.

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.

This is the fourth consecutive year Ste. Croix Regional Federal Credit Union has received the recognition.

The credit union’s “Books for Kids” program donates new books to every public school library in its field of membership and sponsors a group of employees called “Book Buddies” who visit the local Head Start classes and read to the children. Book Buddies also donates books to Head Start to encourage reading.

Ste. Croix also received a second-place Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award. Sponsored by the Maine Credit Union League and CUNA and Affiliates, the award recognizes credit unions that demonstrate, in an extraordinary way, the practical application of the credit union philosophy.

Ste. Croix received the award for its Monty Moose Youth Savers Program, which encourages children to save and teaches them about their finances.

Denise T. Ouellette, vice president of marketing for Ste. Croix, received the Diane L. Oceretko People Helping People Award

Established to remember long-time Social Responsibility Committee member, Diane L. Oceretko of Midcoast FCU, who died of cancer at the age of 51 in 2002, the award recognizes an individual for his community service and volunteer activities.

Throughout the year, Ouellette gives her time and energy to a variety of causes in the community. The activities that mean the most to her are chairing the Social Justice and Peace Commission of Holy Family Parish and serving on the board of the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.

Ste. Croix Regional Federal Credit Union, 1000 Lisbon St., is a full-service financial institution serving all who live or work in Androscoggin County.