Whether it's giving back, responding to COVID-19, awarding scholarships, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in April.
Giving Back
Racine Zoo Spring Fundraiser Runs Through Friday; Donations Matched Up to $5k
The Racine Zoo is hosting their spring fundraiser, All In For The Animals, through Friday, April 8. Through the generosity of Educators Credit Union, each donated dollar up to $5,000 will be matched. This means each donation will have twice the impact to help Racine Zoo continue making a difference in the community.
(Educators Credit Union, 4/6)
Emerson Park Campaign Reaches $200,000 in Pledges and Gifts
Since 2002, when the old Emerson School was torn down, a full city block of Clark Street, one of Stevens Point’s main and historic thoroughfares, has stood vacant except for a basketball court, a backstop, and an outdated playground.
(Simplicity Credit Union, 4/12)
Elan Financial Services Donates $12,500 to Neighbors' Place
Elan Financial Services recently donated $12,500 to The Neighbors’ Place on behalf of Cloverbelt Credit Union, the organizations announced today.
(Cloverbelt Credit Union, 4/19)
RCU Foundation of Eau Claire Donates $200,000 to Help Build New Mondovi Library
The RCU Foundation donated $200,000 to the Mondovi Public Library to help build a new library adjacent to its existing building. The new building will more than double the square footage, with dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults, according to a library news release. The extra space will provide additional computer access stations, seating, study areas and private spaces for meetings and organizations that have no other place to meet in the community.
(Royal Credit Union, 4/22)
Trustone Financial Donates $9,000 to Aiding Ukraine
TruStone employees, along with the TruStone Financial Foundation, donated $9,000 to Aiding Ukraine, a nonprofit formed to support the Ukraine community during an important time of need.
(TruStone Financial Credit Union, 4/28)
Awarding Scholarships
Application Period Open for UnitedOne Credit Union Scholarship
Students can now apply for one of two $1,000 scholarships being offered by UnitedOne Credit Union.
(UnitedOne Credit Union, 4/4)
Rhinelander High School Student Awarded Scholarship for Financial Literacy Essay
A Rhinelander High School student is one of 12 Wisconsin students awarded a scholarship for writing an essay about college savings.
(Educators Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, UW Credit Union, 4/11)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Summit Credit Union to Open a Student-Run Branch at One City Schools
Many schools across the country are experimenting with student-run banks in their buildings that provide a hands-on way for young people to learn about taking control of their money and financial future. Next year, students at One City Schools will be able to bank at their school as Summit Credit Union has announced that they will open a student-run branch for students, families, employees, and other members of the One City Schools community at the new Pleasant T. Rowland Leadership Campus in Monona.
(Summit Credit Union, 4/6)
Two Rivers High School to Host Community Health and Wellness Fair
Two Rivers High School will be holding a Community Health and Wellness Fair next month. Fox Communities Credit Union will also take part, as they help people check their financial wellness.
(Fox Communities Credit Union, 4/6)
$25.5 Million Black Business Hub to Offer a Path from "Disparity to Prosperity"
On a chilly afternoon, with an upbeat crowd of hundreds in attendance, Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed the groundbreaking a "great day" for the city and state, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, announced via video $1 million in federal funding for the project, and Kim Sponem, president and CEO of Summit Credit Union, said the credit union will open a branch at the development at the corner of South Park Street and Hughes Place.
(Summit Credit Union, 4/9)
Altra Federal Credit Union Partners with Zogo to Offer Digital Financial Literacy
Kicking off National Financial Literacy Capability month, Altra Federal Credit Union is announcing its partnership with Zogo, a leading financial technology company, to provide a new way of learning about finances.
(Altra Federal Credit Union, 4/10)
Reality Check Day Gives High Schoolers a Taste of "Reality"
Juniors from Park and Walden III high schools got a taste of reality Thursday morning at Reality Check Day. Now in its 17th year, Reality Check Day is a personal finance exercise presented by Educators Credit Union (ECU). Each participating student is assigned “a life” that includes a career, a month’s salary, family status and a credit score – all loaded onto a personal computing device.
(Educators Credit Union, 4/14)
Marshfield Credit Union Launches Kids Rewards Club
MMCCU is helping young people learn how to save with a new Kids Rewards Club! This is a youth savings account designed to encourage good money practices at a young age. Anyone under age 18 is encouraged to bring a parent or guardian and sign up.
(Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 4/18)
Fostering Excellence
Minutes in Motion: Altra Federal Credit Union Staff Embrace Wellness, Teamwork
Altra Federal Credit Union staff are looking to break their own record for the 2022 Minutes in Motion challenge.
(Altra Federal Credit Union, 4/6)
UW Credit Union Passes $5 Billion Threshold
The Madison, Wis.-based UW Credit Union joined a small but growing group of credit unions this month by surpassing $5 billion in assets.
(UW Credit Union, 4/12)
38 Earn Credit Union Development Educators Designation
Thirty-eight credit union leaders from across the United States were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) last week after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s (the Foundation) signature Credit Union Development Education (DE) training.
(Altra Federal Credit Union, CUNA Mutual Group, WESTconsin Credit Union, CUNA, 4/16)
Financial Well-Being Elevates SEG Relationships
In the past, credit unions could expect to enroll workers from select employee groups (SEGs), provide better rates on loans and deposits, and offer “share draft” accounts. The relationship was straightforward, with the emphasis on credit and the members’ common bond.
(Educators Credit Union, 4/20)
Providing Innovative Solutions
Educating Inmates: Royal Credit Union's Success
Nearly seven years ago, in the fall of 2015, a very small team from the Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union began their financial education journey inside the Eau Claire County Jail to teach inmates the ins and outs of money management. (Royal Credit Union, 4/18)
Creating Community
River Prairie Festival Planned for Altoona
The City of Altoona is excited to announce River Prairie Festival – Celebration of Art, a community event that celebrates the kickoff to the 2022 season of programming in River Prairie Park and art in the Chippewa Valley!
(WESTconsin Credit Union, 4/1)
Local Blood Drives Help Bolster National Minority Health Month
The American Red Cross is always seeking active blood donors, but April is a time when they want to remind folks that a stable blood supply is necessary to support those with different blood needs.
(Shoreline Credit Union, 4/8)
Brewers, UW Credit Union Team Up for 4-for-4 Flash Sale, Offering $4 Tickets for Games Against Pirates and Giants
The Brewers and UW Credit Union are offering fans a limited opportunity to save on tickets for the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates -- April 18, 19, 20 -- and single-game series against the San Francisco Giants, April 25.
(UW Credit Union, 4/11)
Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce News
On the not-too-distant-horizon we have the 69th Annual Flambeau Rama on Aug. 5, 6 and 7. There are many different events happening this year, such as the Miss Flambeau Rama Pageant, the St Croix casting contest, the Northwoods Community Credit Union sawdust dig, the Arts and Crafts Show, the Classic Car show, Paul Bunyan’s Lumberjack Show, and all the other classic events we have year after year. It is surely going to be a good time.
(Northwoods Community Credit Union, 4/14)
Racine Man Celebrates Paying Off Debts, Hyrulean-Style
Anthony Sanchez celebrated completing a lifelong goal for many Americans. It took the Racine man 16 years to fully pay off his loan for his Coolidge Avenue home, but he did it in 2022. This year also is the 30th anniversary of the release of his all-time favorite video game.
(Educators Credit Union, 4/15)
Run for the Roses Wine Walk
Stop down and enjoy wine samples at participating businesses during the Run for the Roses Wine Walk, presented by Unison Credit Union. The event falls on the same day as the Kentucky Derby so why not theme this event accordingly!
(Unison Credit Union, 5/7)
Lemonade Day Build-a-Stand Workshop Held at Builders First Source
Participants in this year’s Lemonade Day, a program of the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, got to try their hand at developing their own lemonade stand, using real hardware from Builders First Source.
(Fort Community Credit Union, 4/19)
Phil Vassar to Perform Free Concert at Paperfest in July
Country music superstar Phil Vassar will perform a free concert July 15, 2022 during Paperfest at Sunset Park in Kimberly.
(Community First Credit Union, 4/21)
RCU Announces Chippewa Valley Shred Events
Royal Credit Union is set to host shred events at several Royal offices in May. According to a media release by RCU, Shred Days are an opportunity for RCU Members as well as the general public to properly dispose of their personal documents and files free of charge. RCU is partnering with Shred Away to safely dispose of documents.
(Royal Credit Union, 4/26)
Park City Credit Union of Merrill Blood Drive
May 5th 9am-12:30pm Park City Credit Union, 501 South Pine Ridge Ave., Merrill. To reserve your appointment, please contact Park City Credit Union at (715) 536-8351. You may also visit communityblood.org/donor. Log in, click “Donate Now” and enter sponsor code ME25. We kindly request your register in advance. (Park City Credit Union, 4/28)
Investing in Communities
"The Time Has Come" -- Official Celebrate Groundbreaking for new WESTconsin Baldwin Office
The winter weather April 14 didn’t put a damper on those who ventured outside to participate in the groundbreaking for the new WESTconsin Credit Union office in Baldwin. “We are really excited to be here today to see this one come to fruition,” said Linda Powers of River Valley Architects. “This has been a long time coming.”
(WESTconsin Credit Union, 4/21)
UW Credit Union Planning Oconomowoc Branch
UW Credit Union has confirmed plans for an Oconomowoc branch. Slated to be constructed in 2023 the new branch will be located off Pabst Farms Boulevard and Interstate 94 near a Fleet Farm store. The financial institution purchased a 1.6-acre parcel of vacant land this week just west of the store for $1.75 million, according to state records. The seller was Stonebridge Capital Unit 1, LLC, of Oconomowoc.
(UW Credit Union, 4/29)
Fox Communities Credit Union Opens New Oshkosh Location
Fox Communities Credit Union (Fox) will open its newest full-service branch at 1870 Oshkosh Ave., Oshkosh on Monday, May 2. Operations and team members from the former Oshkosh branch located on the Winnebago Mental Health Institute grounds will move to the new location. The new location, conveniently located off Hwy. 41, will feature additional drive-up lanes, an ATM, and expanded hours.
(Fox Communities Credit Union, 4/29)