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 December.
Giving Back
In spirit of giving, Park City donates toys to Aspirus
Children who need care in the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital Emergency Department need will have several items to keep them busy thanks to a donation from the Park City Credit Union Rhinelander Branch. Through the “Share the Care” program at the credit union, lending specialist Jenny Jorgensen organized the donation of teddy bears, LCD tablets, coloring books and crayons for pediatric patients. Share the Care provides a monthly budget staff can use to do something special in the community. ( Park City Credit Union, 12/6)
Royal Credit Union's Annual Giving Never Melts Away Annual Toy Drive Collects Over 750 Toys
Royal Credit Union (Royal) and The Salvation Army partnered to hold the annual Giving Never Melts Away toy drive throughout the month of November. This year, Royal collected over 750 toys and raised more than $600 for The Salvation Army through the generosity of community members and team members. (Royal Credit Union, 12/5)
“Battle of the Banks & Credit Union” Rivalry Continues – to the Benefit of the Salvation Army
rivalry of sorts played out once again last Wednesday, but it’s a friendly one that annually helps raise funds for Sheboygan’s Salvation Army. The “Battle of the Banks & Credit Unions” pits the area financial institutions against each other to see who can raise the most funds. (Kohler Credit Union, UnitedOne Credit Union, Meadowland Credit Union, 12/13)
Lakemen Field Renamed
Community First Credit Union donated $250,000 for the redevelopment of Lakemen Field and through a naming sponsorship commitment it will be renamed Community First Lakemen Field. Their contribution pushed the ball park makeover project beyond its $475,000 goal. This means work that might have been postponed will begin in the spring on a new lighting system. Lakemen and Comet players will play night games under much better conditions. (Community First Credit Union, 12/12)
PCCU donates to Tomahawk, Merrill, Rhinelander, Minocqua food pantries
Park City Credit Union (PCCU) donated a total of $3,800.00 to food pantries in Tomahawk, Merrill, Rhinelander and Minocqua last month, helping area families enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. A release from PCCU said the donations were made “in In the wake of increased demand for assistance at local food pantries due to lingering effects of the pandemic and rising costs.” “This contribution highlights the credit union’s strong commitment to addressing urgent community needs and enriching the lives of residents,” the release stated. (Park City Credit Union, 12/12)
N.E.W. Credit makes donation
N.E.W. Credit Union, Oconto Falls, sponsored a day of meals for the Oconto County Commission on Aging and the Marinette County Elderly Services Meals on Wheels programs. Pictured, from left, are Lisa Gilligan CEO, presenting a check to Oconto County Commission on Aging representatives Bobbi Knaus and Heather Meyer. (N.E.W Credit Union, 12/18)
Christmas Fund brings joy to families
The Christmas Fund has been a project of different groups for many years. The Spooner-Trego Lions Club, the Shell Lake Lions and the Spooner Advocate work together to make perhaps 100 families and 200 children have an enjoyable Christmas and holiday. Many gifts and a bountiful meal are donated to families applying for help this season. The groups working together show that the giving and sharing of love is truly a blessing for all. (Indianhead Credit Union, 12/21)
MMCCU Supplies 65 Christmas Dinner Meals to Local Families in Need
In the true spirit of community and the holiday season, MMCCU teamed up with Marshfield Area United Way to make a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged families in the community. Recognizing the increased strain on local food pantries, MMCCU took a proactive approach to support families in need during these challenging times. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 12/20)
CoVantage Cares Foundation provides over $435,700 to local non-profit organizations
CoVantage Cares Foundation announced Tuesday that more than $435,000 was raised for local charities during its annual fundraising campaign. Checks totaling $435,783 were presented to local non-profit groups that serve communities where CoVantage Credit Union has branches. For the last eight years, the CoVantage Cares Foundation and CoVantage Credit Union have partnered to hold a two-week fundraising campaign, kicking off every year on Giving Tuesday. Organizers said this year’s donations pushed the campaign’s eight-year total to $2.7 million in support for 90 local organizations. The funds were made possible thanks to generous donations by CoVantage Credit Union members, staff, and community members who supported the Foundation’s 2023 Giving Tuesday campaign from November 28 to December 12. (Covantage Credit Union, 12/26)
Gift cards for homeless youth Teachers Credit Union
Robin Stuht, center, family specialist with the McKinney Vento Program, presents a plaque to employees of the Teachers Credit Union of Beloit for collecting the most gift cards for homeless youth during the “Throw Down: Race to Generosity” campaign. (Teachers Credit Union, 12/21)
Creating Community
'Rockin’ with the Coldies' at Hudson Hot Air Affair
Hudson Hot Air Affair announces its 2024 event theme of “Rockin’ with the Coldies” for its 35th annual celebration held on Feb. 2-4, 2024. 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, 12/13)
Fostering Excellence
WESTconsin wins awards for financial education
WESTconsin Credit Union is honored to be recognized for its financial education efforts through the Alphonse Desjardins Awards from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). WESTconsin won 1st place in the Youth Financial Education and 2nd place in the Adult Financial Education award categories for credit unions with $1B+ in assets in the state of Wisconsin. The Youth Financial Education Award was given to WESTconsin for its use of Banzai, an interactive financial education resource that uses online courses to teach basic and advanced financial concepts. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 12/13)
Winner Crowned in Annual Battle of the Financials
Eight local credit unions and banks squared off in the annual Salvation Army Battle of the Financials. For the past five years, local credit unions and banks competed to see which one could raise the most money for the Red Kettle campaign, and this year, Shoreline Hometown Credit Union took home the crown. The credit union managed to raise nearly $2,400 out of the $9,524 raised in total. (Shoreline Hometown Credit Union, Holy Family Memorial Credit Union, UnitedOne Credit Union, Kohler Credit Union, Shipbuilders Credit Union, Fox Communities Credit Union, Community First Credit Union, (12/21)
Awarding Scholarships
Altra Federal Credit Union announces 'Altra Rocks' scholarship winners
The winners for this year's Altra Rocks scholarships have been announced. Four winners were selected this year, and two are students from La Crosse. The other winners are from Marshfield, Wis. and Kasson, Minn. Each of the winners will be awarded $2,500 scholarships. Altra Federal Credit Union partners with the Copeland Events Centers in La Crosse to get the funds for the scholarships. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 12/20