Whether it's giving back, responding to COVID-19, awarding scholarships, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in February.
Giving Back
House Blessing Ceremony Help By Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity
A Blessing Ceremony took place Thursday night for a home remodeled by Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity. The home in the 700 block of North Eddy Street is officially move-in ready for Marlie Sabelko and her daughter. The home was donated to Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity last year. (Royal Credit Union, 2/10)
Elan Announces Across the Country Charitable Giving Program, Donating on Behalf of 50 Credit Union Partners
Elan today announced the launch of its Across the Country Charitable Giving program benefiting 50 charities across the United States. Of Elan’s 250+ active credit union partners, 50 have been randomly selected to participate in this exciting initiative to give back to the communities they serve. (Cloverbelt Credit Union, Northwestern Mutual Credit Union, Superior Choice Credit Union, 2/10)
"Help for Homeless" Drive for Hygiene Items Begins
The Family Radio Networks’ 30th annual “Help for the Homeless” hygiene drive Feb. 13 to March 6 is collecting personal hygiene and cleaning products for 100 Wisconsin crisis agencies in 19 Wisconsin communities. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 2/19)
Connexus Donates Record Amount in 2021
Connexus Credit Union’s philanthropic program, Connexus Cares, announced a record total annual donation amount in 2021 of $2.5 million, the credit union said in a news release. (Connexus Credit Union, 2/17)
Rock the Riverfront Coloring Contest Begins February 14
Royal Credit Union is announcing the RCU Foundation Rock the Riverfront Youth Coloring Contest begins Feb. 14. According to a release from RCU, this contest is intended for youth 12 years old and under. The contest is intended to encourage creativity, while also building awareness for the annual run/walk and the Veteran-focused charities that it supports in 2022. Ten winners will be selected the week of March 7. Prizes will include a Royal Credit Union (Royal) swag basket valued at $25. (Royal Credit Union, 2/16)
Green Bay Polar Plunge Helps Raise Money for Special Olympics Wisconsin
This Saturday dozens of brave souls are plunging into icy waters to raise funds for Special Olympics Wisconsin during the Green Bay Polar Plunge. (Community First Credit Union, 2/26)
Awarding Scholarships
Altra Foundation to Give Away Two $5,000 Financial Education Scholarships
Win one of two $5,000 scholarships to go towards your education with the Altra Foundation Financial Education Scholarship, sponsored by the Altra Foundation. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 2/1)
Applications for UW Credit Union's Community Values Scholarship Open
Applications are being accepted from Feb. 14 to March 31 for the UW Credit Union’s Community Values Scholarship. Each year, the credit union awards 10 $3,000 scholarships to student members who share a commitment to making communities stronger and better places to live. (UW Credit Union, 2/15)
Fox Communities Credit Union to Award Five $1,000 Scholarships
Five students in Northeast Wisconsin will be getting a $1,000 scholarship from Fox Communities Credit Union. The scholarships are available to graduating seniors who are primary, active members of Fox Communities Credit Union and plan to continue their education at a two-year or four-year accredited university, technical, or vocational school. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 2/22)
Money Smart 2022 Scholarship Contest
In support of Wisconsin’s Money Smart Week (April 9 - 16, 2022), the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt and its partner organizations are sponsoring a Money Smart 2022 Scholarship Contest. Wisconsin’s graduating high school seniors are encouraged to answer this year’s Money Smart Question for a chance to win one of several scholarships to be given as a $1,000 Edvest gift card. (Educators Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, UW Credit Union, 2/24)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Free Retirement Income Planning Seminar Hosted by Prosperity Partners Located at Prospera Credit Union
Prospera Credit Union is offering a workshop to help people plan for retirement. Prospera’s workshop will be held Wednesday, February 16 at 6 p.m. at Prospera Credit Union, located at 849 Warsaw St. in Menasha (map). The seminar will include an individually boxed meal and will be set up for proper social distancing. Masks are highly encouraged.
(Prospera Credit Union, 2/2)
Altra Federal Credit Union Will Host Event for Home Buyers
Altra Federal Credit Union will host a free event for first-time home buyers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at its Operations Center, 1700 Oak Forest Drive, Onalaska.
(Altra Federal Credit Union, 2/15)
Green Bay Bankers Find Enthusiastic Audience for Spanish-Language Money Education Class, Plan for More
Whether it was taking notes, adding and subtracting, or using imagined or real budgets, participants in a recent financial literacy class were putting their new knowledge into practice right away.
(Fox Communities Credit Union, 2/15)
Feb. 21-25 is "America Saves Week" and the UW Credit Union is Happy to Help
UW-Green Bay alumni Wayne Resch and Jill Norder are trusted advisors who work on the Green Bay Campus in the UW Credit Union. During Feb. 21-25, 2022 also known as “America Saves Week,” they are happy to respond to your financial questions.
(UW Credit Union, 2/17)
Racine & Me: New Credit Union at Horlick High School
Educators Credit Union opened a new high school branch inside Horlick High School in late January and it's entirely student run. Director of Community Engagement Victor Frasher joined the show to share about unique opportunities for students.
(Educators Credit Union, 2/20)
Royal CU, National CU Foundation White Paper Shares Insights on Fin Ed in Correctional Facilities
Royal Credit Union and The National Credit Union Foundation have published a new white paper, Making A Difference: Correctional Facility Financial Education, which shares information and data results from Royal’s unique correctional facility financial education program.
(Royal Credit Union, 2/22)
Fostering Excellence
Connexus Receives Six Forbes Advisor's Best of Awards
Connexus was named the winner of six Best of Awards by Forbes Advisor, including Best Money Market Accounts, Best CD Rates, Best Free Checking Accounts, Best Checking Account for Dividend Earnings, Best Checking Accounts for Customer Experience, and Best Savings Accounts for Customer Experience, the credit union announced recently.
(Connexus Credit Union 2/7)
Educators Credit Union Started at a Kitchen Table in Racine 85 Years Ago. Now it Has $3 Billion in Assets
It all started at a kitchen table on Orchard Street during the Great Depression. It was in 1937 when a group of teachers, put off by the big banks that failed and sparked the economic collapse, decided to pool their money, turn their backs on traditional banking, and founded their own credit union, the Racine Teachers Credit Union.
(Educators Credit Union, 2/12)
UW Credit Union Honored with 2021 Governor's Financial Literacy Award
Governor Evers presented UW Credit Union with the 2021 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award today in a virtual ceremony. The credit union is among eight individuals and six organizations honored for providing exceptional financial literacy and capability education in an inclusive and innovative manner. 2021 marks the fourth year that UW Credit Union has received this distinction. (UW Credit Union, 2/15)
RCU Receives Governor's Financial Literacy Award
Royal Credit Union was among six organizations and eight individuals statewide awarded 2021 Governor's Financial Literacy Awards on Tuesday in a virtual ceremony.
(Royal Credit Union, 2/15)
FCCU Honored with Gov. Evers 2021 Governor's Financial Literacy Award
Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) was recognized recently by Gov. Tony Evers as a recipient of the 2021 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards during a virtual ceremony. The honor is given in recognition of the efforts FCCU has put forth to serve members and community members by offering a variety of free educational resources.
(Fort Community Credit Union 2/21)
CoVantage Credit Union Receives Honors
CoVantage Credit Union has been honored with a2021 Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award and a Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award. The two awards, sponsored by the Wisconsin Credit Union League and the Credit Union National Association, recognizes credit unions that demonstrate the internal application of the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” through special programs.
(CoVantage Credit Union, 2/22)
Creating Community
Blood Crisis Continues, Two Drives Scheduled in Manitowoc this Month
Some severe winter weather has intensified the Red Cross blood crisis, but you can help. There are two blood donation opportunities in the Manitowoc community over the last half of February. (Shoreline Credit Union, 2/17)
Lemonade Day to Return to Fort Atkinson
The City Fort Atkinson once again will be painted in yellow with lemonade stands on May 7 for Lemonade Day. (Fort Community Credit Union, 2/21)