Technology Credit Union Builds for Families in Need

Tech CU Members and Employees Help Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity Construct Affordable Housing in North San Jose


SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - June 7, 2007) - Twenty members and employees from Technology Credit Union came out on Friday, June 1st to donate their time and energy to help construct a new, affordable home in North San Jose for a local family. The home is part of the Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity Murphy Avenue Project, which aims to construct six four-bedroom homes along Murphy Avenue by the end of 2007. One of the largest building projects attempted by Habitat for Humanity in Silicon Valley, the development promises to give several deserving families an affordable house in one of the highest priced real estate markets in the country.

"We had a lot of enthusiasm for this project among our members and employees -- so much in fact, that we had to turn volunteers away," said Kathleen Litman, VP of Marketing for Tech CU. "I think a lot of people empathize with families who are struggling to find affordable housing in the Bay Area."

Friday's building day was yet another community project that has grown out of Tech CU's Community Spirit Day, held in February to raise awareness among individuals about how they can volunteer or donate in 2007.

"Community Spirit Day was the beginning of a year-long initiative for us that's focused on inspiring people to think about how they can help their community, as well as giving them opportunities to do so," continued Litman. "From that, we've developed several projects, such as our partnership with Vanished Children's Alliance to post photos of missing children on our online banking page and now, this Habitat for Humanity building project."

Tech CU member Ranjita Chakravarty and her son were among the volunteers at Friday's project. "For me, it was great to have someone else organizing everything so that I could just show up," she explained. "It motivated me to get out there. I took a vacation day and enjoyed some quality time with my son doing something completely different from what I do in my day-to-day work. I was able to experience things I've never done before and be part of a community of people who are connected through these homes."

In other community news, Tech CU also recently completed a supplies drive for Girls For a Change (GFC) that brought in dozens of school and office items like pens, paper, white boards, tape, glue, staplers, envelopes and more. GFC, an organization that empowers thousands of teen girls to create and lead social change in their communities, makes use of these items on various projects throughout the year.

Tech CU will continue to sponsor community service events that support financial literacy and children, youth and family services in the Bay Area. To find out more about these or to learn about Tech CU's community outreach program, go to Tech CU's community page at www.techcu.com/community.

About Technology Credit Union

Technology Credit Union is a full-service, financial institution serving individuals who work, live, go to school or regularly worship in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. Tech CU was started in 1960 and is now among the top 1 percent of the nation's largest credit unions. With nearly $1.3 billion in assets and nine full-service branches around the Bay Area, Tech CU is a leader in the credit union industry.

About Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity

Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc., an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, was incorporated as a non-profit organization on July 21, 1986 as Bay and Valley Habitat for Humanity. In 1998, the organization changed its name to more accurately reflect its location. Under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, Silicon Valley Habitat works in partnership with low-income families to build affordable, decent housing in Santa Clara County.

Contact Information: Contact Information: Tawnya Lancaster Public Relations 408-205-1618 tlancaster@lancaster-group.com Karen Crabtree Technology Credit Union Phone: 408-441-4736 kcrabtree@techcu.com