Virginia Beach, VA, May, 2009

Press Contact:
Liz McNulty
Chartway Federal Credit Union
757-552-1000 x43699
cemcnulty@chartway.com

When does 100 equal 6,500?  When a score of cyclists brave 100 miles of country roads to ride for a good cause!   Earlier this month local cyclists raised $6,500+ to support the We Promise Foundation’s mission to put a smile on a child’s face by making their dream come true.  Dedicated to supporting children with life-threatening illnesses and severe hardship, the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union hosted its inaugural Beach Century Bike Tour departing from Northwest River Park in Chesapeake VA to Main Street in Columbia NC.

Riders completed the course throughout the afternoon and made great time despite strong headwinds and unusually high temperatures. Jim Twiford, the first rider to arrive in Columbia, looks forward to the 2010 ride. "I'd just like to thank the Beach Century Bike Tour's organizers, volunteers, and my fellow riders for coming together in support of the We Promise Foundation. The ride was a great challenge. I look forward to the next one!"”

Following the ride, cyclists and guests were treated to an incredible live performance by Rockstar Supernova® Finalist Dilana.  Local fan and Chartway member Zack Coberly had the honor of performing on-stage.  “This is unreal!” stated Zack’s father, Don Coberly, Beach Century Bike Tour Co-Chair and Chartway employee.  “We’re here to raise money for kids who need our help – it’s times like these that remind me of how truly blessed I am as a father.”

With sponsorship support by Fat Frogs Bike & Fitness, Frame Packaging Solutions, Footworks and WAVY TV-10, the annual event is being developed as a signature event for the foundation.  The 2nd Annual Beach Century Bike Tour is slated for late September 2010.  For more information about the event and how you can ride for the challenge, not the T-shirt, visit
www.beachcenturytour.com.

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About the We Promise Foundation®
As the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union, the We Promise Foundation® is dedicated to making dreams come true for children struggling with degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship.  The foundation provides funding within the communities the credit union serves with a single goal:  to put smiles on a child’s face by making their dreams come true.  The foundation was launched in 2005 based on the enduring success of Chartway’s previous charitable events.  Since 1999, Chartway and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $2M in support of numerous Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters, St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater and other Hampton Roads-area charitable groups.  For more information, click on www.wepromisefoundation.org.

Chartway Federal Credit Union, chartered in 1959, is a not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., with assets of more than $1.1 billion. Founded on the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” Chartway’s fundamental goal continues to be to enhance the lives and financial stability of close to 155,000 members. The organization provides services in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. Chartway offers financial services including checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, online banking, insurance and investment counseling to members. For more information, visit www.chartway.com.