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 July.
Giving Back
ECHO awarded $11,000 grant for tornado disaster relief
ECHO, Inc. has been awarded an $11,000 grant from Advia Credit Union to help with tornado assistance. According to a release, the Advancing Lives Grants aims to assist victims of tornadoes that hit southwest Wisconsin in June. This donation is part of a broader initiative that has raised $35,000 for the community. Based in Janesville, ECHO, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has played a pivotal role in distributing critical funds to those affected by the tornadoes. (Advia Credit Union 7/24)
Creating Community
Paperfest 2024 in Kimberly set for July 18-21
The 36th annual Paperfest will host 36 bands in Sunset Park in Kimberly on July 18-21, 2024. The annual free-admission music festival will feature three nights of national recording artists in addition to numerous family activities such as balloon glow on Saturday, and $1 carnival rides on Sunday. The largest lineup in the events history brings something for everyone with three stages of great live music including Diamond Rio, Micheal Ray, and Foghat, as well as local favorites The Glam Band, Boogie & the Yo Yo’z, Half Empty, and many more. (Community First Credit Union, 7/10)
Capital Credit Union hosts Local Heroes softball game at Fox Cities Stadium
Capital Credit Union hosted a Local Heroes softball game on Sunday at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. “We thought it would be cool to kind of celebrate them,” said Steve Zich, Capital Credit Union’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We celebrate them here at the Timber Rattlers stadium and we present the check of $100,000 for this year to the different municipalities across northeast Wisconsin to support their efforts in keeping us safe.”This event featured volunteers from local police, fire, and EMS organizations competing in a friendly softball match to honor and celebrate the individuals who work to keep our communities safe. (Capital Credit Union, 7/14)
Supporting Financial Literacy
How a Credit Union Reached Out to an Unbanked Community and Learned the Value of Financial Access
Banks and credit unions are businesses and beating the competition is the name of the game. But that doesn’t quite explain why, in 2019, Wisconsin’s Simplicity Credit Union opened a small branch in rural Neillsville in a little blue house on Division Street — in an area with no credit union within 20 miles. The union has turned out bigger than the sum of its parts. Residents have flocked to the little house with their business in what has become a learning experience on both sides. The Neillsville success manifests Simplicity Credit Union’s focus on education as the foundation of service, earning it our Editor’s Choice™ Award. (Simplicity Credit Union 7/23)
More Than Money Series: Lifting and Enriching Kenoshans Through Financial Literacy
Join us once a month for an intimate, basic financial literacy class from our partners at Educators Credit Union. For each class, a meal will be provided for each registered person, free of charge. Reducing debt is an easy way to increase your available funds and improve your credit score. We provide tips on how to manage your money to help you overcome your existing debt. Registration required, lunch will be provided to all registrants. (Educators Credit Union 7/25)
6 credit unions that refinance student loans
Refinancing your student loans can help you snag a lower interest rate, which could mean lower monthly payments and borrowing costs over the loan term. You can also combine several balances into a single loan product, making it easier to manage your student loan debt. Or you could shorten your loan term to pay your balances off faster. While some of the top student loan refinancing companies are online lenders, you can also refinance your college debt with banks and credit unions. (Landmark Credit Union, 7/31)
Investing In Communities
WCCU Credit Union’s Baraboo branch celebrates 10-year anniversary
WCCU Credit Union will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its Baraboo branch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at 1333 South Blvd., Baraboo. The community is invited to join in the festivities, which will include cake, refreshments, and a special cake-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. The official anniversary is Sunday. (WCCU Credit Union, 7/10)
Shared Accounts With CU Times: Candid Talk With the CEO of UW Credit Union
n this episode of Shared Accounts With CU Times, UW Credit Union President/CEO Paul Kundert takes us on a journey to his credit union's new four-building headquarters campus in Madison, which, with features like geothermal heating and cooling, solar technology and stormwater management, is raising the bar for credit union offices nationwide. He discusses why the innovative facility is worth the investment, the benefits it will provide both to the environment and UW Credit Union employees, as well as the advice he has for other credit union leaders planning a headquarters move or remodel. (UW Credit Union, 7/26)