Credit Union Employee Donations Help Twin Cities Kids Start the School Year Right; TopLine Federal Credit Union's Employees Prepare 216 Kids for Success at School Through CEAP's Annual Back-to-School Supply Drive.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. -- Each year, many disadvantaged families are not able to take part in the back-to-school shopping tradition for the school supplies their kids need for success at school. To assist families in the northern Twin Cities metro area, TopLine Federal Credit Union employees filled 216 backpacks with needed supplies as part of the Brooklyn Park Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and The Caring Tree statewide Back-to-School Program. The backpacks will be distributed to CEAP clients within the communities it serves. This is the third year TopLine employees have participated on the back-to-school supply drive, and their efforts have been recognized by the 2006 Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility.

"This is just one example of the extraordinary generosity shown by the TopLine staff in reaching out to the underserved in our community," said Harry Carter, president and CEO for TopLine. "They understand the importance in having all kids start the school year with the same advantages, and providing these backpacks is one way they can help give them a better chance for educational success."

"This year 899 students received a new backpack and school supplies through the Brooklyn Park CEAP Back to School/Caring Tree Program, and the number grows each year," said Tom Hardin, assistant director for CEAP. "We are most grateful to the employees at TopLine for their significant donation this year and continued support of this program."

About CEAP

CEAP is a community-based non-profit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. From its headquarters in Brooklyn Park and its Anoka County Office in Blaine, the agency provides emergency support and facilitates personal skill building and self-sufficiency while enhancing self-esteem. CEAP accomplishes this in a caring and respectful manner, with an overall objective of building a stronger community.

About TopLine Federal Credit Union

Established in 1935, TopLine Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and is the state's 11th largest credit union with more than $240 million in assets. TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from branches in Maple Grove, Edina, Brooklyn Center and downtown Minneapolis, as well as by phone and through its interactive Web site at www.TopLinecu.com.

Membership in the credit union requires a completed membership application and an initial deposit of at least $5 into a Share Savings account. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in the Twin Cities counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington. Immediate family members of people meeting these criteria are also eligible for membership.