HAWTHORNE CREDIT UNION RE-ENLISTS FOR OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ILLINOIS CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM   
 

Naperville, IL September 5, 2008) Hawthorne Credit Union, which has branches in Naperville and Bolingbrook, is making arrangements to once again play Santa to U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan during this holiday season.   
 
Beginning September 11, the popular credit union will begin collecting items to stuff into Christmas stocking care packages that will be sent to U.S. troops deployed in the Middle East.  These care packages include a litany of items not readily available to troops in their deployed locations, such as hand sanitizer and shaving cream, as well as personal letters, cards and notes of support from the community at large.
 
Those wishing to donate items can visit either Hawthorne CU’s Naperville branch at 1519 N. Naper Boulevard or its Bolingbrook branch at 267 S. Weber Road to drop-off personal care and snack food items that will be stockpiled and displayed as a reminder for community members to support U.S. troops fighting abroad.
 
Since its inception in 2003, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois has sent more than 14,000 care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year, Hawthorne CU collected more than 235 pounds of items to donate to this amazing program.   
 
”Our men and women in the military are working so hard for our country that we want to send items to brighten their day a bit,” said Sandy Brillowski, vice president of marketing for Hawthorne CU.  “Last year we donated more than 230 pounds of goodies for their holiday stockings to help remind troops that the folks back home are thinking of them. Our goal is to send even more this year.”
 
About Hawthorne Credit Union
Hawthorne Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that has been serving members since 1935 with financial services ranging from checking and savings accounts to mortgages, auto loans, Visa credit cards, financial planning and small business services. Currently, the credit union serves more than 14,000 members at its two locations at 267 S. Weber Rd. in Bolingbrook and at 1519 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville and via the campus branch at Alcatel Lucent. For more information visit www.eHawthorne.org or call (630-369-4070.
 
Hawthorne was the recipient of the 2007 Best Bolingbrook Business award in the Finance category; winner of three 2008 CUES Golden Mirror Awards and the 2006 Dora Maxwell Community Service Award for Illinois.