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 July.
Creating Community
Paine Art Center and Gardens: First-of-its-kind Illuminated Sculpture Exhibition makes exclusive debut at The Paine
The Paine Art Center and Gardens today announced it will host “The Nature of Light: An Exploration After Dark” – its largest exhibition to date – from Aug 8-Oct 30, 2022. The exhibit, which will feature dozens of illuminated art settings, thousands of colorful changing lights and more than 50 unique geometric sculptures, is the first of its kind in the U.S. and was created exclusively for The Paine through a collaboration between two acclaimed studios renowned for crafting remarkable art experiences. (Community First Credit Union, 7/11)
Kiel Picnic plans being finalized
Carnival rides, food, drinks and various entertainment options are in store for the city of Kiel and the surrounding area with the Kiel Community Picnic planned for Aug. 11-14 at City Park. An annual event for the city of Kiel—presented by the joint efforts and work of the Kiel Optimist Club and the Kiel Lions Club—returns with rides from Christman Amusements, various games with prizes to be won, food to be eaten and enjoyed and varying free entertainment thanks to generous sponsors. (Premier Financial Credit Union, 7/22)
Riverstone Premier Event Center of Fort Atkinson to present Rhythm Remix Aug. 27
The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor, Riverstone Premier Event Center, announced Rhythm Remix on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rhythm Remix is a free, end-of summer celebration that has become the largest annual fundraising event for the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event will have a similar format to last year’s, with a family-friendly format featuring live music at five different locations. (Fort Community Credit Union, 7/25)
Giving Back
Educators Credit Union donates $10,000 to the South Shore Fire Department for new CPR equipment
Educators Credit Union joined with the South Shore Fire Department to celebrate Educators Credit Union’s $10,000 donation for the purchase of new CPR equipment on June 30. The South Shore Fire Department will now be able to host CPR training on-site and within the community. (
Educators Credit Union, 7/15)
Cancer donation
Fort Community Credit Union held its annual brat cookout June 11 to raise money for the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition. The cookout took place at FCCU’s Main Office located at 800 Madison Ave. in Fort Atkinson. Supplies were donated by FCCU team members, Kwik Trip, and Klement Brats, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds went to the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition. Jordan Dresdow, president of the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition, left, received a check from FCCU team member Deanna Ugalde, credit resolutions specialist at FCCU who was instrumental in the coordination and execution of the event. FCCU raised a grand total of $1,874.30 for the Jefferson County Cancer Coalition. (Fort Community Credit Union, 7/19)
Connexus Credit Union of Wausau gives back to our community and veterans
On July 11, 2022 Connexus Credit Union presented the Wausau American Legion Post 10 with a check for $12,500. The Connexus Credit Union donation is one of many that they have presented to our community in the past year. They take pride in supporting our community through their Philanthropic Program “Connexus Cares”. (Connexus Credit Union, 7/25)
Feed My People Food Bank: Operation Picnic 2022
Feed My People Food Bank is raising funds through its third annual “Operation Picnic” summer hunger campaign to provide food to families facing hunger in west central Wisconsin. Volunteers from the “Operation Picnic” sponsors are taking part in a special pack-a-thon on Thursday, assembling bags of food to be distributed to hungry people in our community. Those sponsors include Bush’s, Chippewa Valley Growers and Royal Credit Union. Feed My People Food Banks is also looking for donations. Every dollar up to $21,000 will be matched to help reach the goal of 168-thousand meals funded. (Royal Credit Union, 7/28)
Fostering Excellence
Credit Unions in Three States Appoint Four New CEOs
Credit unions in three states recently appointed CEOs, including one that took the unusual step of naming co-CEOs. (Badger-Globe Credit Union, 7/8)
Winners of 2022 Wisconsin CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards Announced
WisconsinCIO announced the winners of its 2022 CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Awards. WisconsinCIO recognized chief information officers in seven key categories – Leadership, Global, Healthcare, Large Enterprise, Enterprise, Large Corporate, & Corporate. The Awards were presented at the Wisconsin CIO ORBIE Awards at The Edgewater. ( Landmark Credit Union, 7/14)
For those who find teaching as a second career, experience-based licenses are a perfect fit
Keith Cruise, Valerie Freeman and Megan King all became teachers by applying for experience-based licenses through the State of Wisconsin. To earn an experience-based license, instructors-to-be must pass four courses in three years while they are also teaching. It’s a much faster path to becoming a teacher than getting a traditional education degree from a four-year university. (Educators Credit Union, 7/17)
Winners Celebrate Being the BEST 2022
HEARTLAND CREDIT UNION Best Wisconsin Credit Union | Bronze. (Heartland Credit Union, 7/21)
N.E.W. Credit Union marks 60th anniversary
OCONTO FALLS – The only financial institution based in Oconto County, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this month, has grown significantly over the decades. Thirty years ago – seven years after Falls Paper Employee Credit Union became N.E.W. Credit Union, the operation had just under 5,000 members and just over $13 million in assets. (N.E.W. Credit Union, 7/22)
Altra Federal Credit Union selected for 'World's Greatest!' TV show
How2Media, producers of the television show “World’s Greatest!”, announced that they have recently selected Altra Federal Credit Union to be a part of the popular television series. With a history dating to 1931, Altra Federal Credit Union has continued to grow and innovate, serving its members with the same passion that they’ve had since their earliest days. “We think their story will be meaningful as well as educational to our viewers,” said Kyle Freeman, executive producer of the show. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 7/22)
Institute for Women’s Leadership Launching New Programs in September
Green Bay, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is now enrolling women across Northeast Wisconsin for two new leadership programs available through the Institute for Women’s Leadership. The programs begin in September and are designed to meet the region’s ongoing need to strengthen the women’s leadership pipeline. The Institute for Women’s Leadership, launched in 2021, is working to advance women both personally and professionally at all stages of their careers through education, inspiration and networking opportunities and in turn create a strong and equitable regional workforce. The programs address experience or training gaps of middle and high-level woman managers who are preparing to take the next steps in their careers. (Capital Credit Union, 7/26)
Altra Federal Credit Union in Onalaska to be featured on Bloomberg TV
Altra Federal Credit Union will be featured in a program on the Bloomberg TV channel. HOW2MEDIA will feature an episode about Altra on its “World’s Greatest” series airing Saturday and Aug. 1. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 7/29)
Forbes’ Best-In-State Banks And Credit Unions 2022
Forbes’ fifth annual ranking of the Best-In-State Banks and Credit Unions provides a comprehensive look at the elite of America’s smaller financial institutions. (CoVantage Credit Union, 7/31)
Investing in Communities
Community Support Critical To The Fight
OSHKOSH, Wis.–Saying it realizes it takes much more than internal defenses to fight fraud, one CU has created a “Fraud Squad” to pull in help from local police departments and, more important, assistance from the communities it serves. “When it comes to fraud and scams and preventing them, it's community education that is so critical,” explained Anna Allen, VP-marketing at Verve, A Credit Union. “You have to teach people to spot the red flags, to stop fraud right when it is happening. It’s about all of us taking care of each other. (Verve, a Credit Union, 7/11)
WESTconsin Credit Union Back to School Drive to begin July 18
WESTconsin Credit Union is announcing they are set to begin their annual Back to School Drive July 18, intended to support local students. According to a media release by WESTconsin Credit Union, starting Monday, July 18 through Saturday, July 30, WESTconsin Credit Union says they will accept donations of school supplies at all offices in the Kindness Counts collection bins near lobby entrances. Monetary donations can also be made at any office with a WESTconsin Credit Union representative or through drive-ups. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 7/12)
Professionals Launch Ahead at Five Credit Unions
The $6.4 billion Hudson Valley Credit Union in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., announced its 2022-2023 board of directors election results during its annual members meeting on June 28 via video conference. (Royal Credit Union, Connexus Credit Union, 7/12)
School supply drives underway across central Wisconsin
It might be the middle of summer, but organizations across the area are asking for school supplies. Marathon County's "Fill a Backpack, Fill a Need" (FABFAN) program is most in need of durable backpacks and many typical school supplies like notebooks, pencils, and glue. (Cloverbelt Credit Union, Connexus Credit Union, 7/15)
UW Credit Union Will Anchor East Side Building
The developers behind a proposed East Side apartment building purchased the final piece of the development site and confirmed that UW Credit Union will be the anchor commercial tenant. ( UW Credit Union, 7/15)
Royal Credit Union opens new Altoona location
Royal Credit Union celebrated the opening of a new location Tuesday with a ribbon cutting. Located off of Highway 53 next to the Woodman's, this is Royal Credit Union's first office in Altoona. (Royal Credit Union, 7/19)
Awarding Scholarships
RCU donates $100k to CVTC emergency service education
Chippewa Valley Technical College is excited to announce that the Royal Credit Union Foundation has generously gifted $100,000 in support of the Emergency Service Education Center remodel and will have the honor of naming the student commons area. A check was presented before the CVTC District Board meeting last month. (Royal Credit Union, 7/16)
FCCU awards $10,000 in scholarships
Fort Community Credit Union has announced five scholarship recipients who have been selected to receive $2,000 each, totaling $10,000, for the 2021-2022 school year. (Fort Community Credit Union, 7/29)