Toggle Search

Reflecting on a Season of Credit Union Giving

Wisconsin
Jan 08, 2020
By Sammy Dennis
Under:
  • The CU Difference
Here are just a few of *many* ways Wisconsin’s credit unions embodied both the spirit of the season and the spirit of The Credit Union Difference in November and December!

1. Ran Toy Drives

Royal Credit Union’s 22 offices brought in over 700 toys to benefit families in need, in partnership with The Salvation Army for its Annual “Giving Never Melts Away” toy drive.


2. Donated to Food Pantries 

Connexus Cares, the philanthropic arm of Connexus Credit Union, presented the Mid-State Technical College Foundation with a $5,000 check to support the college’s student food shelves. Additionally, UW Credit Union donated $25,000 to the Riverwest Food Pantry and $36,000 to Community Shares of Wisconsin. 


3. Raised Funds for Hospitals

Gundersen Credit Union helped support the Gundersen Medical Foundation with a matching donation program for its Pediatric Specialties Campaign. The credit union has pledged $75,000 to the Foundation with a 2-to-1 match for donations and a 3-to-1 match for donations made by its members.


4. Collected Winter Apparel for Those in Need

WESTconsin Credit Union’s Mitten Tree Campaign collected over 3,000 winter apparel items and nearly $5,000 to purchase more items for 15 community partners.


5. Supported Financial Stability & Literacy Initiatives

In December, UW Credit Union pledged $100,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee over three years and $75,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.The funds are to support higher education, financial stability, and financial literacy initiatives. 


6. Wrapped Up a Year of Giving Back to the Community

WESTconsin Credit Union wrapped up its year-long Kindness Counts Initiative (in conjunction with its 80th anniversary), where employees donated over 4,385 volunteer hours collectively to assist with agricultural projects in their communities. Employees helped construct chicken coops, paint buildings, care for horses, clean up barns, serve lunches to farmers and those in need, assist 4-H members, plant flowers, and more.


7. Paid Out Dividends

Summit Credit Union provided its members with a $2.4 million patronage dividendCoVantage Credit Union paid out a record $4+ million in patronage to its members (a 19% increase from last year), and Sentry Credit Union paid out $500,000--$250,000 in a special bonus dividend to saving members and $250,000 in a loan interest rebate for borrowing members. 

 

About The Author

Sammy Dennis is the Director of Communications for The Wisconsin Credit Union League. 
Pictured: WESTconsin Credit Union's Menomonie office during their Mitten Tree Campaign.