FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego, Calif., July 27, 2006 – USA Federal Credit Union joins with many local corporate sponsors supporting the work of The Challenge Center and their mission to heal people with serious disabilities. The Challenge Center provides skilled physical therapy, unique computerized therapy devices, and specialized fitness programs to hundreds of members.

“The Challenge Center is a place of healing and improvement,” said Mary Cunningham, USA Federal’s President/CEO, “They focus on rehabilitation, raising the level of independence, and improving the quality of life for children, adults and seniors with severe disabilities. We proudly stand with them in this effort.”

USA Federal is a corporate sponsor of the Ninth Annual "Dreams Take Flight" gala event aboard the U.S.S. Midway on August 3, 2006, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Nationally acclaimed comedienne Rita Rudner will headline the event. Numerous other major San Diego-Area sponsors, including EDCO Disposal Corporation, Grossmont Healthcare District, Comerica Bank and the Junior Seau Foundation.

For more event information and tickets, call Challenge Center’s Kristine Brown at (619) 667-8644. See their website at: http://www.challengecenter.org

Rudner, known for her lethal wit, wrapped in a soft-spoken delivery, has captivated audiences and critics alike with clever observations, sharp timing and Gracie Allen-like style. The recipient of numerous national entertainment awards, Rudner shatters the stereotype of brassy tough comedians with her poise and sophistication, and signature porcelain skin, big crayon blue eyes and gentle voice.

The Challenge Center received the Christopher Reeve Foundation's prestigious the "Best of the Best" award in 2005. “They recognized our goal is to provide seriously disabled members with the same care and service as was afforded Christopher Reeve,” said Bill Bodry, President of The Challenge Center.

Located in La Mesa, CA, The Challenge Center serves the entire San Diego community and members from the across the United States. Their primary focus is on people with serious disabilities, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or any disease state that has significantly impacted a person's level of function. Members travel from as far away as New York to utilize Challenge Center’s state-of-the-art therapeutic devices.

For more than 18 years, the Challenge Center's programs and staff have touched the lives of thousands of individuals who are in need of physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment, but are unable to afford the care they need after their medical insurance has been exhausted and their income base has invariably ran out.

Challenge Center Member Profile: James Lewis

James Lewis missed the year 2002 and a big part of 2003. He was lying in a hospital bed; deep in a coma and unresponsive from a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors told his mother that he would be a “vegetable and would never walk or talk again”. James’ mother refused to believe that dismal prognosis and prayed over his bed every day for a miracle.

When James began to wake up, his mother was told if she wanted to “keep him progressing, she needed to keep him moving”. Unfortunately, after his insurance covered therapy ended, she had few options until she found Challenge Center. James arrived at Challenge Center in a wheelchair, and needed a hefty boost to stand and walk a few unsteady steps across the room with a walker. After extensive and intensive Challenge Center style physical therapy, James is walking so well he can walk alone in his house and uses a walker independently in the community. “I could throw that wheelchair away! Challenge Center changed my life for the best.”

“I had a dream to walk again. Challenge Center made that dream come true. Now I want to walk without anything, and drive so I can get a job.”

James’ mother prayed for a miracle. Today that miracle comes to Challenge Center every week for physical therapy to keep working towards his dreams.

About USA Federal

With more than 61,000 members and $700 million in assets, USA Federal Credit Union (headquartered in San Diego) operates 20 branches, including locations in San Diego and Riverside Counties, Las Vegas (NV), Japan and Korea. Members of this non-profit financial cooperative include the military, civilians and select employee groups. Founded in 1953 at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, USA Federal offers a full range of financial services including business services and consumer savings, checking, mortgage and home equity loans, auto loans, debit and credit cards, share term certificates, IRAs, and a 24-hour phone center. Online services include eStatements, Online Banking and Bill Pay with Money HQ and online loan applications and approval. Additional services include the BALANCE financial fitness program, and investment and retirement planning offered by MEMBERS Financial Services. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Visit www.usafedcu.org or call (800) 220-1USA (1872) or (858) 831-8100 for more information.

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Note: USA Federal maintains the above information for archival purposes, which is presumed accurate upon release, however, data may become outdated over time and affect accuracy.