Three charities received donations from Northern Hills Federal Credit Union (NHFCU) for their participation in NHFCU’s first annual Community Challenge.  Charities involved include Children’s Miracle Network, Northern Hills Area CASA Program and the Feeding South Dakota Backpack Program.

 NHFCU’s Community Challenge is a campaign that strives to save the community $500,000 in loan interest, while benefiting local charities.  This year’s inaugural campaign, which ran from June 20 to Dec. 14, saved members more than $1 million in loan interest.  Charities received a total of $6,000 in donations from NHFCU.

 “The reception of our first Community Challenge has been above and beyond our expectations. We doubled our savings goal and were able to donate to three worthy charities, which is what our credit union philosophy is truly about,” Cindy Griffin, President/CEO of Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, said. “We helped 138 members save on their loan interest, which is incredible. There were 32 mortgages refinanced and 106 personal loans refinanced.”

 Community members voted for the charity to receive the largest donation.  First place, Feeding South Dakota BackPack Program, received $3,000.  Second place, Northern Hills Area CASA Program, received $2,000, and third place, Children’s Miracle Network, received $1,000.

 “We are so honored to be able to help all of these charities. Any donation truly goes a long way, and we know our money is going to a great cause and helping a lot of children in need,” Griffin added. “There’s no way we could have done this without the support of the community, and we are looking forward to continued success next year.”

Backpack- Pictured left to right:  Arlene Termes, Daryla Sandy, Cindi Williams, Cindy Griffin, Lauren Forsch, Melody Fallon and Adam Martin

Children’s Miracle Network- Pictured left to right:  Daryla Sandy, Cindi Williams, Melody Fallon, Cindy Griffin, Betty Quasney, Adam Martin and Arlene Termes

Northern Hills CASA- Pictured left to right:  Melody Fallon, Daryla Sandy, Cindi Williams, Cindy Griffin and Kate Kelly