PORTLAND — At the Maine Credit Union League’s annual meeting and convention recently, eight Maine credit unions were honored for their community service, member education and/or financial education initiatives and efforts as the League announced the 2012 recipients of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service, Louise Herring Philosophy-In-Action Member Service, and the Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards.

The state awards are part of a national awards program coordinated by the Credit Union National Association. The winners in each asset category will compete in the national awards program in the fall. A Maine credit union has received a first or second place award in the national competition in nine out of the past 13 years, a record that is unmatched in the country. In 2011, three Maine credit unions received a record five national awards.

Professionals from the Maine Public Relations Council and Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility judged the awards, which honor credit unions for efforts and outreach that help the community and/or members.

In fundraising, Maine credit unions raised nearly $1.5 million, much of it a dollar at a time, for various causes including $447,000 for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, $75,000 for Maine Special Olympics, $50,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network, $75,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and many more. In addition, Maine credit unions volunteered more than 35,000 hours for community organizations and activities across Maine.

The 2012 recipients of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, established to encourage credit union involvement in community projects and activities, are, listed by asset category and the location of main office:

* Assets of $20-50 million, first place, Great Falls Federal Credit Union in Lewiston; second place, Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Auburn.

* Assets of $50-100 million, first place, Central Maine Federal Credit Union in Lewiston.

* Assets of $100-$200 million, first place, Five County Credit Union in Bath, as well as Auburn, Augusta, Brunswick, Falmouth, Lewiston, Lisbon, North Windham, Portland, Rockland, Scarborough, Skowhegan, Topsham and Waterville.

The 2012 recipients of the Louise Herring Philosophy-In-Action Member Service Award, which recognizes credit unions that demonstrate in an extraordinary way the practical application of the credit union philosophy, are, listed by asset category and location of main office and branches:

* Assets of Less than $50 million, first place, Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Auburn.

* Assets of $50-$250 million, first place, Central Maine Federal Credit Union in Lewiston; second Place, Five County Credit Union in Bath, as well as Auburn, Augusta, Brunswick, Falmouth, Lewiston, Lisbon, North Windham, Portland, Rockland, Scarborough, Skowhegan, Topsham and Waterville

The 2012 recipients of the Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards, which honor Credit Unions for leadership and initiatives in youth and/or adult financial education, are, listed by asset category and location of main office and branches:

* Youth awards, assets of less than $50 million, first place, Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Auburn.

* Assets of $50-$250 million, honorable mention, Oxford Federal Credit Union in Mexico and Norway; honorable mention, Five County Credit Union in Bath, as well as Auburn, Augusta, Brunswick, Falmouth, Lewiston, Lisbon, North Windham, Portland, Rockland, Scarborough, Skowhegan, Topsham and Waterville

* Adult awards, assets of less than $50 million, first place, Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Auburn