On Friday, October 8, the Richfield Chamber of Commerce hosted its 17th annual Gala at the Minnesota Valley Country Club. During the event, Pat Brekken, president of RBCU, received the 2010 Larry Farrington Award.

The award dates back to 1969 and was a way for the Richfield Chamber of Commerce to memorialize Larry Farrington, a man known for his generous contributions to the city of Richfield.

"It means working consistently not just for what is most profitable or most expedient, but for what is best in the long-term for individuals and the community," said current Chamber president Steve Lindgren in his 2008 Larry Farrington Award presentation speech.

In 1969, Monroe Stenerson was the first recipient. Pat Brekken is the 42nd.

"It's incredible," Brekken said. "Just knowing what some of these recipients have done not only for the city of Richfield, but in a broader sense, the state of Minnesota. From my perspective, it is amazing to say I am in the same company of these people. Obviously it's humbling, and it tells me that [the credit union] is living its mission, which is support as many people as we can in this community."

This year alone, the business has donated more than $75,000 back to the communities it serves.

That includes $45,000 for scoreboards at the new turf fields adjacent to both Bloomington Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools, another $25,000 in the form of a sponsorship to Bloomington Heritage Days, and $5,000 more to the Richfield Historical Society for an exhibit on Richfield businesses that opened this month.

The mindset behind it all, said Brekken, was his company's plan to follow an example set by a competitor - albeit a respected one.

"I look back and see the impact Richfield Bank and Trust had on this community, and, we are able to slide right in and do our part," said Brekken. "Whenever anything was needed, they went to Richfield Bank and Trust. We picked that up, and that really started our focus on the community.

It's also built a trust with the credit union's customers, who typically double as community neighbors.

From a donation standpoint, schools have been the primary benefactor. The now seven-year old scoreboards at Richfield High School came courtesy of the business, and a year ago, a presentation was given to the Richfield School Board to ascertain how to be of more helpo.

Just a couple weeks ago, the credit union gave a similar pitch to the Bloomington School Board.

Brekken is a Richfield High School graduate himself, and he said one of the perks of his current job what some of the old school-day faces that have walked through the company's doors.

"Just recently, I had an old teacher come in," Brekken said. "So I've been able to reacquaint with old elementary teachers and junior high and high school teachers and coaches. It's great to have that longevity of knowing the folks that are involved with the community."

Membership at RBCU is currently open to people who live, work, worship, volunteer, or go to school in the communities of Edina, Richfield, Bloomington, Fort Snelling, or the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. Relatives and people living in the same household with existing RBCU members can also join.

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