Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) employees took their service skills to the next level, volunteering to serve lunch and ice cream to more than 175 seniors at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 18.

The credit union presented a check for $4,500 to the SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market St. in Santa Clarita, to help support the center's programs.

In the morning, LFCU volunteers helped pack lunches for the center's Home Delivered Meals Program, which serves area seniors who might not otherwise have a meal. Other LFCU volunteers helped serve lunch and ice cream during the afternoon.

"The seniors really had the time of their lives Friday," said Robin Clough, volunteer and recreation coordinator. "From the break of dawn until mid-afternoon, LFCU volunteers worked hard to make the event special. We appreciate those who arrived so early in the morning and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to pack meals for the homebound elderly, as well as those who served lunch and ice cream."

LFCU is involved in the community, giving employees the opportunity to make contributions to chosen charities through regular payroll deductions, and to volunteer during their normal work hours. LFCU also provides a donation-matching program.

"Lockheed Federal Credit Union supports the local community, and our employees are pleased to provide assistance to the SCV Senior Center," said Alethia Calagias, community relations specialist. "Our employee volunteers find it rewarding to participate and give back to Santa Clarita Valley."

Many of the seniors received fliers announcing LFCU's Volunteer Day. According to Newton Boston, a member of the SCV Senior Center's administrative staff, 178 lunches were served to seniors Friday, which is the highest number in recent history. More than 275 bowls of ice cream were served.

"The SCV Committee on Aging (and) Senior Center is thrilled to be supported by LFCU," Clough said. "Because the senior demographic is growing exponentially, ensuring quality of life for our elderly has become a critical challenge. We are greatly appreciative and touched by the generosity of LFCU and its employees."

Patrick Bell of Opera-Kadabra provided entertainment, www.operakadabra.com. Bell performed magic tricks and sang a variety of songs. As he sang show tunes, a few of the seniors danced together in the center of the hall, two of whom are newlyweds.

LFCU employees hosted an opportunity drawing and distributed magnifiers to all seniors in attendance.

Volunteer-Time-Off Program
Established in 2008, LFCU's Volunteer-Time-Off Program allows employees to receive company paid time off to volunteer in the community. Each employee can receive up to eight hours per year to volunteer during the work day. Throughout the year, LFCU employees organize volunteer opportunities to support LFCU Community Stars' nonprofit partners.

LFCU in the Community
During the last few months, LFCU has been supporting the community through its nonprofit foundation, LFCU Community Stars.

In 2007, LFCU employees developed LFCU Community Stars to support local charities through financial donations and volunteerism. LFCU employees make contributions to sponsored charities through payroll deductions and special fund-raising events. Employees are able to volunteer during their normal work hours.

LFCU also offers a donation-matching program for employees who make contributions through payroll deduction. Additionally, LFCU Community Stars will launch programs aimed at the 100,000 members of LFCU in an effort to increase the Foundation's ability to help charities in the communities served by LFCU.

Every year, LFCU Community Stars foundation board selects charities to support, with final decisions being made by the Foundation's Board comprised of LFCU employees.

The four charities that were selected by the foundation's board to be supported in 2008: Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Penny Lane and weSPARK Cancer Support Center.

About Lockheed Federal Credit Union
More than 9,000 Lockheed Federal Credit Union members are residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, where Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) operates three branches: Valencia Bouquet Canyon, Valencia Town Center and Stevenson Ranch.

In 2006 and 2007, Santa Clarita residents selected LFCU as the best credit union in the area, as reported by the Santa Clarita Valley Living Magazine.

LFCU recently received a five-star rating - the highest possible - from Bauer Financial, a source for unbiased, independent bank and credit union star ratings. The five-star rating validates that LFCU is safe, financially sound and operating well above its regulatory capital requirements.

Chartered in 1937, LFCU has more than 100,000 members. Membership is open to Southern California residents of more than 200 sponsor companies. Deposits in LFCU are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. LFCU is an equal housing lender.

For more information about LFCU, visit www.lfcu.com.