CUs in the News: October 2022

Whether it's giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in October.

Giving Back

Altra Federal Credit Union employees volunteer across the community
Altra Federal Credit Union gave back to folks all across the area–and the nation–during the company’s fifth annual ‘Altra Gives Back Day'. Volunteers helped HorseSense prepare for their Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday by painting their barn and mulching. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 10/10)

Altra "Gives Back Day" delivers
The 5th annual Altra Give Back Day had volunteers helping clean and organize the Skogen Boys and Girls Club in Holmen. Employees took to the facility cleaning windows, vacuuming and organizing numerous art supplies. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 10/10) 

Connexus donates $50K to hurricane relief efforts
Connexus Credit Union’s philanthropic program, Connexus Cares, has donated a total of $50,000 to two organizations that are on the front lines supporting people affected by Hurricane Ian. The recent hurricane is one of the largest natural disasters in Florida’s history, leaving thousands of people struggling and in need of safe shelter, meals and comfort. Connexus Cares has contributed $25,000 to the American Red Cross and $25,000 to The Salvation Army, with both donations targeting Hurricane Ian response and relief. (Connexus Credit Union, 10/13)

The Remember Project brings dementia awareness to La Crosse
The short plays, ‘Fortune Cookies’ and ‘Steering into the Skid’ are an effort to bring awareness and resources to the community. Friday’s events began with a social hour and appetizers at Altra Federal Credit Union in Onalaska. After the performance, event organizers encouraged the audience to have a conversation about dementia. (Altra Credit Union, 10/13)  

Madison Gartzke of Educators Credit Union raises $1K for United Way, shaves head for Wigs for Kids
 Educators Credit Union employee Madison Gartzke made a bet with her coworkers. She told the staff at Educators Credit Union in Racine that if they helped her raise $1,000 for United Way, Gartzke would get a new haircut. The local is now sporting a freshly shaved head. (Educators Credit Union, 10/24)

Junior Achievement Hero’s Gala
 Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin, is honoring Ken Vance posthumously as the 2022 Legacy JA Hero. (Royal Credit Union, 10/26)

Last chance to help hungry: A dollar can buy $10 in food for our neighbors through Stock the Shelves
Last year, thanks to the generosity of readers, more than $163,000 was raised through the Stock the Shelves campaign, a partnership between USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin newspapers and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which provided more than 652,000 meals. (Greater Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Union, 10/28)

Royal Credit Union’s Giving Never Melts Away Annual Toy Drive To Begin On November 1
Royal Credit Union (Royal) and The Salvation Army have partnered again to present Giving Never Melts Away, Royal’s annual toy drive. New and unwrapped toys for children of all ages are being accepted at all Royal Credit Union locations during regular business hours from November 1 - November 30. (Royal Credit Union, 10/31)

Milwaukee Expanding Drivers Ed Classes In Milwaukee Public Schools
A pair of donations means Milwaukee’s rec department will be teaching more Milwaukee Public School students how to drive. The city’s rec department yesterday said it will use a $25,000 donation from the Auto Club Group Foundation, and a $20,000 donation from the Educators Credit Union to teach six more driver’s ed classes. (Educators Credit Union, 10/27)

Creating Community

FCCU hosts brat cookout fundraiser for HCFA on Oct. 22
Fort Community Credit Union will be holding a brat cookout fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 (or until sold out) at the FCCU Main Branch at 800 Madison Avenue, Fort Atkinson. All proceeds will be donated to the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, a local 501©(3) non-profit organization that provides transitional housing and emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in need in the Fort Atkinson area. (Fort Community Credit Union, 10/14) 

Fostering Excellence

Summit Credit Union wins Wisconsin Leadership Business Impact Award in large business category
Cottage Grove-based Summit Credit Union has been chosen by voters as the winner of the 2022 Wisconsin Leadership Business Impact Award in the large business category. (Summit Credit Union,10/4)

Wisconsin’s 46 Most Influential Latino Leaders, 2022
Pablo DeFilippi leads membership development and engagement strategies for Inclusiv, an organization that helps low- and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence through credit unions. He manages Inclusiv/Network, a network of community development finance practitioners that provide valuable consulting services to CDCUs. Joe Hankey is Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at CUNA Mutual Group, where he advises leaders on ways to foster open, trusting and inclusive work environments; identifies organizational risks and develops training opportunities.  (Inclusiv, CUNA Mutual Group, 10/8)