Prior Lake, Minnesota - With Valentine's Day just around the corner, South Metro Federal Credit Union is kicking off its Chain of Hearts campaign. The public is invited to stop by South Metro's main branch in the Dakota Mall, across from Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, to make a donation. The campaign – an annual fundraiser organized by the Credit Unions for Kids program to benefit Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare – encourages members, local residents, and area businesses to contribute by purchasing paper links. During the campaign, which runs through February 29, hearts and links are personalized and added to the chain.

In 2007 more than 300 people participated in the fundraiser at South Metro Federal Credit Union with an average donation of $7 each.

"This is a fun event that gets members into the Valentine's Day spirit while helping children in our area," said South Metro President Don Crofut. "Many children in Scott County benefit from the specialized services at Gillette, so the Chain of Hearts campaign directly contributes to programs that help kids locally."

The South Metro Credit Union's Chain of Hearts is part of a statewide fundraising effort. Through Credit Union for Kids, a sponsor program of the Children's Miracle Network, Minnesota credit unions raises about $150,000 for Gillette each year. "The Credit Union for Kids program really complements our philosophy of people helping people, and we want to ensure that resources like Gillette are available for families in our community," said Crofut.

Credit Union for Kids is a collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues, and business partners engaged in fundraising activities to benefit Children's Miracle Networkaffiliate hospitals. All money raised through Minnesota's Credit Union for Kids program supports Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, helping kids with disabilities and chronic conditions. Since 1897, Gillette has been on the forefront of medical treatment, education, and research for children with disabilities. Gillette's mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence, well-being, and enjoyment in life.

South Metro Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered, federal credit union, providing a wide range of financial products and services for everyone living or working in Scott County, Minnesota. All deposits up to $100,000 per account are insured by the National Credit Union Administration, an agency of the U.S. government. South Metro maintains supplemental share insurance to cover up to $250,000 per account through Excess Share Insurance, Inc. South Metro was sponsored by a capital contribution from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

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