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 September.
Giving Back
People encouraged to participate in ‘Shredfest’ for identity theft protection
Those who have unneeded documents with sensitive information laying around are encouraged to dispose of them during a free shredding event this month, the Better Business Bureau announced Friday. Residents can attend the BBB Shredfest on Sept. 9, in partnership with Summit Credit Union, to help prevent identity theft. (Summit Credit Union, 9/1)
American Red Cross Addresses National Blood Shortage
The Green Bay Office of the American Red Cross has announced it is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave the gift of life this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most in demand blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas. (Shoreline Credit Union, 9/11)
Royal Credit Union Shred Event Sept. 18 at Rice Lake
Royal Credit Union (Royal) will be hosting a Shred Event at the Rice Lake Royal office, located at 1421 S Main St, Rice Lake, from Friday, Sept. 15 – Monday, Sept. 18. Shred Events are an opportunity for Members and the general public to properly dispose of their personal documents and files for free. Royal is partnering with document management and destruction company, Shred Away, to safely dispose of documents. (Royal Credit Union, 9/13)
Community Shares: Kicks off workplace giving campaign
Community Shares of Wisconsin’s annual workplace giving campaign kicks off this week and runs through November. Workplace giving through Community Shares allows employees of local businesses and organizations to support nearly 70 local nonprofits working on voting rights, healthy food systems, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy, environmental protection, and more.
(UW Credit Union 9/14)
Royal Credit Union Shred Day
Royal Credit Union is holding a Shred Day for all community members to participate. The drive up event will be held Friday, September 29th, from 7:30-9 a.m. at 2415 Jodi Drive in Eau Claire. Bring any unwanted confidential items for free, all items will be shredded on site. (Royal Credit Union, 9/25)
Co-op celebration Oct. 5th in Barron
Celebrate cooperatives on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Barron Electric Cooperative located at 1434 State Highway 25 North in Barron. Cooperatives hosting the Cooperative Kick Off Event in Barron include Barron Electric Cooperative, Citizens Connected, Mosaic Technologies, WESTconsin Credit Union, and Synergy Cooperative demonstrating another cooperative principle “Cooperation among Cooperatives.” (WESTconsin Credit Union, 9/27)
Last year, readers donated $182,400 to fight hunger in Wisconsin. But that fight is ever-present
As the nation continues to battle inflation, stretching a dollar — especially a grocery dollar — is getting harder and harder. That's why our newsrooms across Wisconsin will again partner with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Greater Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions to raise money to feed those in need. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, a 41-year-old organization, provides 33.3 million pounds of food each year, via nearly 400 pantries, to more than 30,000 families in Wisconsin's 35 eastern counties, according to data from its 2022 annual report. (Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions, 9/28)
Connexus Cares awards grant to Wausau School District for mental health programming
Connexus Cares announced this week the distribution of a multi-year grant to the Wausau School District supporting school-based mental health programming for students. The philanthropic program at Connexus Credit Union has committed to a grant of $40,000 each year over the next three years. It will help strengthen the district’s mental health services for students and is part of a statewide collaborative funding effort addressing the urgent issue of youth mental health.
(Connexus Credit Union, 9/28)
Creating Community
UW Credit Union Presents “Friday Night Lights” in Partnership With Light the Hoan
UW Credit Union presents “Friday Night Lights,” a new 10-minute colored light show that will illuminate the Hoan Bridge every Friday at 8 p.m. The weekly community show is in partnership with Light the Hoan and runs through December 29. The partnership comes on the heels of “Hoanchella.” The Aug. 17 event, which featured a boat cruise, fireworks and a synchronized light show, kicked off a city-wide fundraising campaign to light the east side of the bridge. Light the Hoan seeks to reach its goal of $2 million by next March. (UW Credit Union 9/2)
Chippewa Valley Book Festival accepting entries for Young Writers Showcase
Young writers in the Chippewa Valley have an opportunity to share their original work as part of an upcoming event. The Chippewa Valley Book Festival is now accepting entries for their annual Young Writers Showcase sponsored by Royal Credit Union and the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. Writers are invited to submit their original poetry, prose, fiction or nonfiction. Writers from grades 3-8 will be chosen to read their work on stage Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Grand Theatre, 102 W. Grand Ave. They will also receive a Dotters Books gift card. (Royal Credit Union, 9/12)
2023 Parade Of Homes For Fond du Lac Area This Weekend
The Eastern Ridge Home Builders Association will be holding their annual parade of homes starting tomorrow, Thursday, September 14, 2023, and it will consist of five new home builds in Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake counties that feature some of the latest and greatest in residential construction as built by four of the areas premiere home builders. (Verve, a Credit Union, 9/13)
Fall Block Party Saturday along Kaukauna’s Wisconsin Avenue
Businesses along Kaukauna’s Wisconsin Avenue are set to host the 2023 all Block Party from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The event, sponsored by Unison Credit Union, is in memory of Sue Duda. (Unison Credit Union, 9/19)
Community block party at Superior Choice Credit Union Branch on Thursday
Join Superior Choice Credit Union for a fun-filled Block Party featuring an array of local entertainment and community highlights! On Thursday, Sept. 21, SCCU is transforming its parking lot into a lively venue with local artisans, tantalizing food trucks, a live radio station and much more. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 9/20)
Investing in Communities
WESTconsin Credit Union breaks ground, plans June opening
Members of the board of directors and leadership team of WESTconsin Credit Union broke ground Thursday afternoon for its new Rice Lake office next to Farm & Fleet at 21 E. Burton St. Joining in the action were the River Valley Architects and construction manager Market & Johnson. The structural design will be like credit unions recently built at Altoona and Baldwin. Rice Lake Chamber director Jody Greiner remarked, “We look forward to having you here.” (WESTconsin Credit Union, 9/8)
Fostering Excellence
UW Credit Union Awarded Juntos Avanzamos Designation
As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), the Madison, Wis.-based UW Credit Union ($5 billion in assets, 337,320 members) has been awarded the “Juntos Avanzamos” designation for the credit union’s work to empower the Hispanic/Latinx community and members. With this recognition, UW Credit Union became the largest Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit union in Wisconsin. (UW Credit Union, 9/8)
CU Times LUMINARIES 2023 Finalists
We are excited to present and recognize the CU Times LUMINAIRES Class of 2023 Finalists who have proven themselves to be exceptional leaders in the credit union industry. (Prime Financial Credit Union, 9/10)
Summit Credit Union, StartingBlock: Launch 1-year fellowship for women entrepreneurs
We’re thrilled to announce that StartingBlock has partnered with Summit Credit Union to offer a 1-Year Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs. (Summit Credit Union, 9/11)
Best of Madison 2023 Winners
This year’s Best of Madison readers’ poll winners are groovy. They’re totally tubular. They’re da bomb. (UW Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, 9/14)
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce announces “Bravo to Business” winners
Local businesses are being recognized for their contributions to the community. Thursday night, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its third “Bravo to Business” event at the Florian Gardens. Finalists were revealed for five different awards, which Chamber President and CEO David Minor says are driven by community members. (Royal Credit Union, 9/21)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Planning and Paying for College Made Easier
Victor Frasher, Director of Community Engagement Educators Credit Union is here today to offer some advice and resources that make preparing teenagers and families for college easier. Planning and paying for college can be a long process but there are always options that can make this process less overwhelming. Victor will be talking about different financial aid options and offer some tips on the best ways to pay for college. (Educators Credit Union, 9/20)