WESTBROOK – As the Maine Credit Union League marked its 70th anniversary with a theme of “Maine Credit Unions – 70 Years of Giving Back,” the community service and educational outreach initiatives highlighting the many ways that Maine’s credit unions gave back over the past year were honored at a recent ceremony.

Nine Maine credit unions were recognized as the 2008 recipients of the Dora Maxwell Awards for Social Responsibility and the Louise Herring Philosophy In Action Awards, a national awards program coordinated by the Credit Union National Association.

The winners in each asset category will go on to compete in the national awards program in the fall. A Maine credit union has received a first- or second-place award in the national competition in seven out of the past nine years, a record that is unmatched in the country.

Four credit unions with locations in Lewiston/Auburn were among the honorees: Central Maine Federal Credit Union, Community Credit Union, Five County Credit Union and Great Falls Federal Credit Union.

Professionals from the Maine Public Relations Council and Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility judged the awards, which honor credit unions for community and/or member service efforts during the past year.

Maine credit unions raised more than $800,000 for various causes, including $366,575.80 for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, $70,000 for Maine Special Olympics, $50,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and $45,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

In addition, Maine credit unions volunteered more than 23,000 hours, a new record, for community organizations and activities across Maine.

The local 2008 recipients of the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility, established to encourage credit union involvement in community projects and activities, are, listed by asset category and the location of main office:

Assets of $20-50 million: first, Community Credit Union, Lewiston; second, Great Falls Federal Credit Union, Lewiston.

Assets of $50-100 million: first, Central Maine Federal Credit Union, Lewiston.

Assets of $100-$200 million: first, Five County Credit Union, Bath.

Assets of $200-500 million: first, Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union, Brunswick.

The local 2008 recipients of the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action, which formally recognizes credit unions that demonstrate in an extraordinary way the practical application of the credit union philosophy, by asset category and location of main office, are:

Assets of less than $50 million: second, Community Credit Union, Lewiston.

Assets of $50-$250 million: second, Central Maine Federal Credit Union, Lewiston; honorable mention, Five County Credit Union, Bath.

For more information, visit www.mainecul.org.