MEXICO — The Oxford Federal Credit Union was recently recognized by the Maine Credit Union League, receiving first place for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award, an award given to credit unions that make an extraordinary contribution to society and go beyond what is expected of an organization.

Oxford Federal Credit Union held fundraisers throughout the year, including raffles for tickets and gift baskets as well as the annual Yard Sale for Charity, where all of the donations are provided by the credit union staff. Money was raised by selling OFCU reusable bags and a contribution was made from the credit union coin machine. At the credit union, the five percent charge to use the coin machine is donated to charitable organizations.

The money raised was used for the following donations: GRAMPS received a freezer; Holy Savior Food Pantry received storage shelving; GRAMPAS Community Lunch received new tablecloths; Rumford Group Homes received an older refrigerator the Credit Union did not need, which was given to their shelter for homeless women and children and stocked with food; Dixfield Emergency Food Pantry, Andover Food Pantry, Families in Crisis and Oxford Hills Food Pantry all received refrigerators.

“Our fundraising drives were diverse, and it was a big commitment to raise enough money to support all eight food pantries, but we did it. We got help from Oxford Hills Middle School, because of our partnership with them where we help them with financial literacy; they raised $500 from a school dance to donate to our cause. We also received donations at the OFCU sponsored free ski and tubing at Black Mountain,” said Kim Davis, program coordinator.

In addition to the appliances that were donated, Oxford Federal Credit Union presented cash donations to the eight local food pantries as part of the Maine Credit Union Campaign for Ending Hunger. The money for these donations was mostly raised through the sale of Castine Candles in the lobbies at both the Mexico and Norway locations.