Bethpage Presents “The Long Island Sports Challenge”

May 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Recognizing that community service helps promote responsibility and character in young people, Bethpage Federal Credit Union announces its partnership with Team Up 4 Community in introducing “The Long Island Sports Challenge,” an interactive contest that encourages community service among student athletes between the ages of 6 to 18.  Three prizes totaling $5,000 in sports grants will be awarded in August 2012.

The interactive contest, which launches today, requires participants to share a short video (up to 2 minutes in length) of their work or their team’s community service work that will be posted on Team Up 4 Community’s You Tube page (deadline for submission is July 31).   The top 10 videos with the highest number of views on You Tube will then be posted on the www.TeamUp4Community.org website for viewers to vote on.  The voting will take place from August 4 to August 8, with the winner being announced on August 10.  The video with the most votes will receive a $3,000 sports grant; the second-most voted video, a $1,500 sports grant; and the third-most voted video, a $500 sports grant.  To participate and for official contest rules, go to www.TeamUp4Community.org.  

“The Long Island Sports Challenge provides young athletes the opportunity to see just how much of an impact they can have in their local communities by giving back through community service,” said Linda Armyn, SVP, Corporate Strategy, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.  “Bethpage is pleased to partner with Steve Webb and Team Up 4 Community, an organization dedicated to developing a sense of social responsibility in children and teens here on Long Island.”

Retired NHL Hockey Player Steve Webb, who skated for the NY Islanders, created project Team Up 4 Community  through his W20 Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to promoting social responsibility and community giveback through student athletes in North America.  The W20 Foundation was launched in 2007 to support young student hockey players with the opportunity to receive partial educational scholarships.

“Similar to athletics, volunteering helps build character and self esteem in young people, while simultaneously helping make a difference in the lives of others,” said Steve Webb, Team Up 4 Community Founder and President.  “We are hoping The Long Island Sports Challenge goes viral and quickly reaches the thousands of young Long Island athletes who can help make a difference.  The contest’s viewing and voting components for friends and family will surely make the contest entertaining for all!”  

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks.  Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island's largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 196,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.   As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.

Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 350 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and Costco locations throughout Long Island.  For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com