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 January.
Giving Back
Registration open for Rock the Riverfront featuring the Charity Classic 2023
According to a media release from RCU, the event is scheduled to be held in-person on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. The event is set to include a 10K and 2 mile run/walk, ½ and ¼ mile youth races, family games, and food trucks. Every registration is said to include a free charity vote and additional votes can be purchased at $2 each. The charity with the most votes is set to receive $15,000, second place is set to receive $7,500, and third is set to receive $5,000. The media release from the RCU Foundation says the first 50 people to register will receive an exclusive Rock the Riverfront water bottle valued at $25. (Royal Credit Union, 1/9)
Credit union donates to local nonprofits
CoVantage Credit Union donates just over $18,000 to NATH Frederick Place, a local homeless shelter. The donation comes as part of the larger Giving Tuesday Campaign which ran from November 29, 2022 to December 13, 2022 and raised a total of $433,362.10. (CoVantage Credit Union, 1/12)
Shoreline Credit Union Helps Salvation Army Raise Money Throughout the Christmas Season
Throughout the Christmas season, Shoreline Hometown Credit Union stepped up to help the Salvation Army of Manitowoc County. The biggest way they did that was through their Season Pass Pin program, which raised over $13,000. This program allows donors to purchase pins in $20 and $100 increments, with that money going to the local Salvation Army branch. (Shoreline Credit Union, 1/16)
MMCCU and Weiler’s Team Up to Show Crossing Guards Appreciation
Each day, dedicated adult crossing guards show up at their assigned crossings to assist students in their journeys to or from school. The City of Marshfield honors adult crossing guards for their commitment to child pedestrian safety during School Crossing Guard Recognition Week. MMCCU (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union) and Weiler’s Convenience Stores teamed up to thank local crossing guards this week, presenting them with coffee mugs and other goodies. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 1/16)
Racine 'Cops 'n Cuts,' free haircuts for 60 kids
Dozens of kids in Racine are looking extra sharp thanks, in part, to the Racine Police Department. A free haircut event called "Cops 'n Cuts" was held Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Anthony Lane Cop House. Students from Racine Unified School District were offered the opportunity to get their hair cut by professional barbers and stylists. Organizers said about 60 kids got fresh, new looks today, and seeing their smiles was what it was all about. (Educators Credit Union, 1/22)
RCU Foundation awards $300K towards construction of new Whitehall library
The RCU Foundation is announcing a $300,000 gift that will go towards the construction of a new library facility in Whitehall. The money is being given to the Friends of the Whitehall Public Library’s “Roots and Wings” campaign and will be used to construct a new library to “provide a more effective and efficient space to serve the community,” according to a release from the RCU Foundation. (Royal Credit Union, 1/23)
Superior Choice secures stadium naming rights
Superior Choice Credit Union made an unprecedented donation this week to the Ladysmith School District, securing naming rights of the stadium at Ladysmith Middle & High School. The $100,000 donation was presented Monday at the school board meeting in the library, and then at halftime of the basketball game in the gym. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 1/25)
Creating Community
Weekend planner: Craftin’, hikin’ and a girls night out this week
Hudson Hot Air Affair has announced its 2023 event theme of “Experience the Magic” for its 34th annual celebration held on Feb. 3-5. Known as the premier hot air balloon rally and winter festival in the Midwest, this family-friendly community event is presented by WESTconsin Credit Union and supported by hundreds of sponsors, partners and volunteers. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 1/12)
2023 Adult Spelling Bee now selling tickets, seeking spellers
After last year's sold-out stinger of a spelling soiree, "to bee or not to bee" is not even a question. Obviously, we all want "to bee" again this year! Thus, The Second Annual OnMilwaukee Adult Spelling Bee, sponsored by Educators Credit Union, returns to The Cooperage, 822 N. Water St., on Friday, Feb. 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. Doors open at 6. (Educators Credit Union, 1/16)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Summit Credit Union warns customers of scam
Summit Credit Union is warning its customers to watch out for a new scam involving imposters asking for their personal or account information. Customers may receive a text message, email, or phone call from someone posing to be from Summit Credit Union. According to the company, the message may ask members to verify a transaction or tell them to reactivate their suspended account. (Summit Credit Union, 1/4)
Waiting to pay off your holiday debt only causes more issues
One-third of Americans took on an average of over $1,500 in holiday debt. Which is a 24% increase over last year. Financial experts at Park City Credit Union in Merrill said the first step is to start saving. Even a small amount, like $25 or $50 dollars a month will help. Looking into getting intro balance transfer rates can also help you deal with holiday debt. Many offer 0% for specific time frames. That helps you get away from credit cards with high rates. (Park City Credit Union, 1/4)
Reality Check Day is March 21-22; volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed for Reality Check Day on March 21 and March 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring St., in Racine. This educational event offers an interactive, hands-on financial literacy learning experience for local area high school students. Now in its 18th year as event host, Educators Credit Union is currently seeking volunteers to make this year’s Reality Check Day a success. (Educators Credit Union, 1/10)
2023 Homebuyer Education Workshop Schedule Announced
Throughout 2023, the City of Janesville Neighborhood & Community Services will co-sponsor a series of free Homebuyer Education Workshops. Workshops are available in a virtual format in two four-hour sessions or in person at either the Hedberg Public Library or Beloit Public Library. The workshops are for anyone interested in the homebuying process, learning the pros and cons of homeownership, how to qualify for a mortgage, working with a real estate agent, and available first-time homebuyer financial assistance programs. Workshops are held on Saturdays, and pre-registration is required. (Blackhawk Community Credit Union, 1/12)
The game of life: Wilmot High students get schooled on cost of living in "Reality Check" event
Wilmot Union High School seniors learned a lesson earlier this month that is not typically taught in the classroom: the expenses that come with being an adult. With the help of volunteers and Educators Credit Union, Wilmot Union High School simulated adult expenses for high school seniors to get an understanding of the costs associated with living independently as an adult. (Educators Credit Union, 1/19)
Finding Home program seeks to help potential home owners
Financial literacy isn’t always an easy subject to get people interested in, but one local company is hoping to change that. The ‘Finding HOME’ program works to educate people that are unable to qualify for a mortgage through tradition methods. The program is run through the Marine Credit Union Foundation with the goal of improving people’s financial knowledge. Participants learn about saving, budgeting and money management. ( Marine Credit Union, 1/24)
Awarding Scholarships
Dupaco foundation to award $60,000 in college scholarship money
he Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation scholarship program will be awarding a total of $60,000 to 30 students within three separate programs. Online applications are now available for the 2023 scholarship program. The scholarship program includes opportunities for both first-time, incoming students as well as current college students returning for the next academic year. (Dupaco Community Credit Union, 1/4)
Park City Cares Foundation awards nearly $10K in scholarships, grants
The Park City Cares Foundation recently approved grants for local technical colleges and awarded scholarships to high school students in the community. The foundation is connected to Park City Credit Union, and it aims to enhance the community by providing opportunities for financial literacy and educational growth. One way in which the Foundation achieves this mission is by offering scholarship and grant opportunities to students and community-based projects. ( Park City Credit Union, 1/9)
FCCU awards $10,000 in scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year
Fort Community Credit Union has announced that it will be awarding $10,000 in scholarship money for the 2022-2023 school year. FCCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater. (Fort Community Credit Union, 1/19)
Capital Credit Union opens 2023 scholarship applications
Capital Credit Union is now accepting applications for its Tom Young Educational Scholarship. This year, the credit union will award $2,500 to 10 upcoming high school graduates who are members of Capital CU and pursuing higher education in the Fall of 2023. Applicants are evaluated using a rating system that emphasizes Capital CU’s mission of “Doing the Right Thing” through academic success, community service, and volunteering. (Capital Credit Union, 1/25)
Providing Innovative Solutions
CVTC, RCU Offering Free Tax Assistance
Make taxes less taxing with free income tax return assistance from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers provided in partnership with Royal Credit Union (RCU), Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), and VITA. VITA was created to provide free income tax return assistance to taxpayers who cannot afford to pay for professional help. Free assistance is provided to anyone with an adjusted gross annual income of $66,000 or less including disabled, non-English-speaking, senior citizens, and special needs taxpayers.
(Royal Credit Union, 1/30)
Fostering Excellence
START UP: Creating Lasting Relationships
WESTconsin Credit Union is just as committed to its employees as it is to its members and that shows in the number of employees that have been with the company for many years. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 1/13)
Crash the GAC 2023 Crashers
The Cooperative Trust is thrilled to welcome the newest cohort of emerging leaders to Crash the GAC in 2023. This group of rising professionals are the future of credit unions, and it is an honor to be part of history as we make space for them and where they will lead the industry in the decades to come. We know these Crashers will bring spirit, passion, and hopefully a little bit of good fun and disruption to CUNA GAC. (Capital Credit Union, CUNA Mutual Group, 1/16)
Summit CU Shifts Focus From Member Experience to Member Engagement
The most successful credit unions focus on both member experience and member engagement, but strategically prioritize member engagement because it underpins the trust on which relationships are built. An exceptional and consistent member experience builds trust, loyalty, confidence and ultimately, increased member engagement. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., with more than $6 billion in assets and 54 branches, Summit Credit Union is a premiere example of a credit union that prioritizes member engagement as one of its top strategic initiatives. (Summit Credit Union, 1/23)
Investing in Communities
Park City Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Remodeled Minocqua Branch
Park City Credit Union recently celebrated the remodeling of their Minocqua branch with a ribbon cutting and open house. Park City Credit Union's President and CEO Val Mindak explained that innovative upgrades like soundproofed offices, rotating computer monitors, and advanced cash-handling machines are a part of Park City Credit Union's mission to provide exemplary service to its community. (Park City Credit Union, 1/19)