United Federal Credit Union (UFCU) donated $1,000 to the Pregnancy Care Center of Niles (PCC) as a sponsor of the annual Life Walk event. Life Walk is one of the major fundraising events for PCC, who provides assistance to people and families dealing with unplanned or crisis pregnancies.

The Pregnancy Care Center provides parenting and couples classes, pregnancy testing, counseling and medical services — including ultrasound — free of charge to their clients. In addition to these services, the Pregnancy Care Center offers programs in which participants earn points in exchange for baby and maternity supplies, as well as help with adoption planning.

“We were excited to have United Federal Credit Union generously donate to support Life Walk,” said PCC Executive Director Jennifer Smith. “This event helps us raise money for operational expenses as well as awareness about our mission to provide free and confidential support to people struggling with a crisis pregnancy in our community.”

This is the second year in a row that UFCU has sponsored PCC’s Life Walk event. UFCU learned of the opportunity through employee volunteerism. Janet Elms, who works as a Card Processor in Niles, has been assisting the Pregnancy Care Center’s event for five years.

United Federal Credit Union provides eight hours of paid time off for employees to use toward volunteering annually in their communities, and Elms chose to use her paid volunteer time off in addition to more of her own time, towards volunteering for PCC.

“Our employees are some of the most caring people in our communities,” said Niles Branch Manager Lorrie Vallance. “We encourage them to volunteer with local non-profit organizations, like the Pregnancy Care Center of Niles, who provide valuable resources and services. By offering our support, United Federal Credit Union helps facilitate positive and meaningful interactions between our employees and the community.”

The 2014 Life Walk fundraiser for the Pregnancy Care Center of Niles will be held on June 14 at Riverfront Park at 10 a.m., and will include a 5k run this year.

With 22 branches in six states, UFCU strives to create strong relationships in every community it serves.