A Brighter Holiday for Many Children Thanks to Credit Union Members and Employees

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - Dec 28, 2012) - Just before the holidays, Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) and Keystone Community Services distributed toys and gifts to many happy children and their families, including donations from TopLine Federal Credit Union's 14^th annual Gratitude Tree Holiday Toy Drive held during the months of November and December. TopLine members and employees generously donated toys, cash and gift cards to brighten up the holidays and bring joy to many children this holiday season. Through CEAP's Holiday Program, families were able to select two toys, two stocking stuffers and a winter accessory (hat, mittens, scarf, etc.) for each child. Overall, CEAP served over 2,800 children this year. Keystone's Gifts of Hope program provided gifts for each child along with household goods for the adults in each family.

Employees were able to participate by donating toys and money to CEAP and Keystone Community Services Holiday Drive in exchange for a "Denim Days" sticker, allowing them to wear jeans to work on specific days during the program. TopLine members could leave unwrapped gifts for children in need under the "Gratitude Tree" at any TopLine location, and then choose an ornament from the tree as a way of thanking them for their generosity.

"TopLine has a strong commitment to the communities in which our members live and work, and we are proud to be able to help organizations like the Community Emergency Assistance Programs and Keystone Community Services," says Harry Carter, TopLine president and CEO. "Both CEAP and Keystone saw a decrease in donations this year, and we were happy to assist with donated toys and dollars to help make the holidays a little brighter for families in our communities."

Since 2002, TopLine Federal Credit Union employees and members have been involved in several programs each year to benefit CEAP. In addition to the annual toy donations these efforts have included drives for children's back-to-school supplies and helping with food and clothing donations for families in need.

CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Programs), serving Hennepin and Anoka Counties, is a community-based, non-profit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. The mission of CEAP is to stabilize individuals and families in financial distress and to maximize their ability to live independently and with dignity. Visit www.CEAP.com to learn more.

Keystone Community Services is a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul that helps thousands of low-income individuals and families in the East Metro Area. Keystone's mission is to strengthen the capacity of individual and families to improve their quality of life. Visit www.keystoneservices.org to learn more.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $320 million. Established in 1935, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its five locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.