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w I Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Haiton Credit Union's Nancy von der Kammer dispimys a big money bag, symbolizing how much cash goes back ta credit union members. The local credif union la Iaunchlng a campalgn ta make more people aware there's a viable alternative ta big banks. Credit Union aims to raise profile By IRENE GENTLE Special ta the Champion You may have seen the commercials on television of the littie credit union facing off againat the big banks. Stili, if you're like most people, you may not be sure what the difference actually is. "When we talk to people they often don't know who we are," said a bemused Nancy von der Kammer of the Halton Credit Union at 44 Main St. E. in Milton. The confusion as ta what HCU does remains despite years of business in the community. Ini fact, HCU opened in 1957 in a cias- room at Holy Rosary Schooi with a man- date ta provide community-based fînancial services. It opened with assets of $9, 910 and 20 members, ail parishioners of HoIy Rosary Church. Forty-years and three moves later, the HCU bas grown. Today it has 8,500 mem- bers and $60 million in assets. Trouble is, many people stili don't know who they are. "We've just been sitting at the end of Main St. and not biowing our own hom," said Ms von der Kammer. To combat this, the HCU is embarking on an aggressive 'get-to-know-you' adver- tising campaign designed ta let the com- munity it serves see that they're there as an alternative to big banks. The difference is that credit unions are owned by the people who bank with them. Instead of customers, credit unions have members wbo share in the profits. "We're a financial institution but we're owned by our members," explained Ms von der Kammer. "We share our profits with them. The more you have with us the better retumn you're going to get on your deposits." They also dlaim ta offer a friendiier, more personal linancial service. see HIGHER on page 27 ;~ v '4 Strs8:00 arn INTROIiUEINI5 THE NEw FIEHAWK5HÏ..30 80,000 Kilometre Treadwear Warranty* *Road Hazard Protectlon* Introducing the new Firestone Firehawk SH-30. A new performance-tire wlth a tread sllck. Its designed to offer wet cornering without sacrificlng dry performance. The Firehawk SH-30- born of Indy technoiogy, driven eveiywhere. LMILi Castrol M FREE 710 i B01LE OF BMUERW* GETAC»SV tX -M O(CHMR AD#CIiiEcg N OOTTLE OF mil Milltown Tire 675 Steeles Ave. 878-6785s The Canadien Champion, Fdiday May 22, 19WB - 5 Ch..,Fýanges planned by new manager * rmMARKET on page 2 ness getaway, The HRCA is also undergoing a $1.6 amllion tunding initiative ta expand the Interpretive Centre at Mountsberg, including its cafe and gift shop. -That facility bas outgrown itself," said Ms Maguire-Garber. When not thinking up funding projects the HRCA wiII also spend 1998 cleaning up its act thanks ta a one-timne $100,000 grant from Halton Region. "That will give us a bit of ajump start on somne things that were definitely needed," said Ms Maguire-Garber. That money wiIi go towards repairing sagging infrastructure and conservation ares upkeep. "There are areas that have heen iooking a littie negiected and we don't want aur parks ta look ike ¶ 9a44<eê<Weight Loss" of 2 lbs. a week SNvtritionclIy Balanced Food Progm'@.s We S e.nd Efective for al egos ib 1