Georgia credit unions are making a positive impact in their communities in a variety of creative ways, and Georgia Credit Union Affiliates recognizes those efforts with an annual statewide awards program.
 
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Award honors credit unions for their outstanding efforts in community projects and activities. The Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action commends credit unions for making exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in daily operations and member services. The Desjardins awards recognize leadership on behalf of youth and adult financial literacy initiatives.
 
This year's Dora Maxwell Award for the $1 billion+ asset category goes to Georgia United Credit Union for its School Crashers program. In its second year, the program offers any accredited schools  in Georgia the opportunity to submit a 250-word statement why their school should receive a facility makeover. In addition to the winning school, Woodward Elementary in Atlanta, five additional schools received mini-grants this year.
 
Coosa Valley Credit Union won the top honor in the $100-$100 million asset category for its American Flag project. The credit union replaced many torn and faded American flags on display at businesses, churches, civic buildings and community organizations at no charge. The credit union followed up by properly disposing of the old flags through a local veterans group associated with the Exchange Club of Rome.
 
"Sometimes it's about the right thing to do for the communities we serve," said Robert Smyth, AVP of Marketing and Business Development for Coosa Valley Credit Union. "We see this as another positive way to impact Northwest Georgia for our members and it has been truly wonderful to see all these new American flags in our community."
 
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union was recognized for the second consecutive year in the $50 - $100 million asset category. Although the credit union supports numerous charitable endeavors throughout the year, it works especially hard year round to support Relay for Life fundraising to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Peach State Federal Credit Union ($250 million - $1 billion asset category) earned the state's Louise Herring Award for its Fresh Start Auto Loan program, which provides auto financing for members with problematic credit scores.

DOCO Credit Union again won the Desjardins Financial Education Award in the $150 - $500 million asset category for financial literacy initiatives, including providing every graduating high school senior in Dougherty County a copy of Jean Chatsky's book, "Money Rules," which provides readers with a simple set of rules to help guide them on the path to lifelong financial security.
 
Northwest Georgia Credit Union earned the top spot for the Desjardins award in the $50-$150 million asset category for "Learn. Grow.", which is a financial literacy program created and taught by credit union staff in a series of classroom lessons on various topics that form the foundation for a strong financial future and sharpen students' knowledge about managing money.
 
The award-winning submissions from Georgia have been entered in the national awards program administered by the Credit Union National Association, with those results to be announced in October.