HAWTHORNE CREDIT UNION SALUTES CREDIT UNION YOUTH WEEK "GOT GREEN: GROW IT AT YOUR CREDIT UNION" CELEBRATION APRIL 21-26  
 

(Naperville, IL - April 10, 2008)  Hawthorne Credit Union, which has branches in Naperville and Bolingbrook, welcomes all area residents to join them, and more than 89 million credit union members nationwide, in the "Got Green? Grow It At Your Credit Union" celebration during Credit Union Youth Week (April 21-26). The week-long "Got Green?" celebration aims at helping children - and their parents - understand the benefits of credit union membership: better rates, lower fees and extra attention to money-management education for members.  
 
"There seems to be a lack of financial literacy in our country, and as a result many Americans mismanage their money. We're taking steps to educate young people about smart ways to manage their money," said Sandy Brillowski, Hawthorne CU's vice president of marketing. "Our staff and member-owners believe in the power of education to improve the financial lives of our neighbors and our community.  Credit Union Youth Week is the perfect time to begin raising awareness of financial issues for young people - like teaching them to spend money wisely and showing them how to start saving for the future."
 
To encourage youth participation during Credit Union Youth Week, Hawthorne CU will be offering kids FREE Hands-on, interactive learning activities, including:
 
• FREE Coin Counting - Hawthorne CU will count kids' coins for free, deposit the balance into their youth account, and match that amount with a donation to the Illinois Youth Foundation, a credit union sponsored organization that supports financial literacy for children.

• The opportunity to "Plant a Daisy, Grow Your Green".  HCU will provide FREE seeds and cups, dirt and shovels outside both its Naperville and Bolingbrook branches on the morning of Saturday, April 26th for kids to plant their daisy seeds.

•  A FREE Piggy Bank with every deposit.

• The chance to help decorate HCU’s lobby banner by outlining their handprint and signing their first name.

• FREE take home games ("Financial Fortune Teller" and "Got Green?") and temporary tattoos.   

In addition, the popular credit union will automatically enter youth members (age 17 and under) - who make a saving deposit during Credit Union Youth Week - into the National Youth Saving Challenge (sponsored by the Credit Union National Association) for a chance to win $100,
 
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 2007 CUES Golden Mirror Awards and the 2006 Dora Maxwell Community Service Award for Illinois.