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 August.
Giving Back
Bike to the Beat
Good riding, good food and good music are all in store this weekend for participants in “Bike to the Beat,” taking to the roads in the Appleton and De Pere areas. This is the 6th year for the event, raising money for Fox Communities Credit Union’s Fox Cares Foundation. The money will go to fight hunger and homelessness and provide access to the arts. Last year’s Bike to the Beat raised over $32,000. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 8/2)
Project 16:49 to host Race for a Place to Call Home in Janesville
Project 16:49 is inviting the community to run and help raise money for homeless youth. The second annual Race for a Place to Call Home will take place starting at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 21 at Riverside Park, 2600 Parkside Drive, Janesville. “We started this event as a way to offer an event that was safe to participate in during the pandemic,” noted Tammy DeGarmo, Executive Director at Project 16:49. “It was such a success that we wanted to bring it back this year.” Project 16:49 organizes two transitional living homes for unaccompanied homeless youth in Rock County. (Blackhawk Community Credit Union, 8/14)
Royal Credit Union Foundation Announces $150,000 Gift to the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center
The Royal Credit Union (RCU) Foundation made a $150,000 gift to the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in support of the Center’s new Wisconsin campus just outside of Hudson, WI. The new campus will expand quality environmental education and access to restored and protected habitat along the St. Croix River. Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center serves 30,000 people annually, including 7000 K-12 students. Entrance to the Nature Center is free and program fees are kept low to ensure access to all. The new Wisconsin campus will provide a place for people of all ages to connect with nature and learn from experienced Carpenter naturalists. (Royal Credit Union, 8/15)
Business Lending Partners: To host event highlighting local business owners’ paths to success
Business Lending Partners (BLP) will host a networking event called Not Another Lunch and Learn on Friday, September 16th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Impact Sports Academy in the Town of Lawrence. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. The event, sponsored by Fox Communities Credit Union, will showcase the stories of local business owners and their respective paths to success. Guests will uncover the creative solutions these business owners implemented to grow their businesses. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 8/25)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Missing Mega Millions mania? Try prize-linked savings to party on. Here's how they work
Miss the thrill of potentially winning the nearly $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot? Prize-linked savings accounts may just be the ticket. Prize-linked savings accounts work like traditional savings accounts that pay a fixed interest rate on the money you deposit in your account. The difference is these accounts also let consumers earn entries into drawings for prizes, including cash ranging from less than a dollar to millions, simply by saving. Generally, the more you save, the more chances you get to win. "These savings accounts not only have an element of fun attached to them, but more importantly, they encourage savings,” said Josh Roberts, vice president of system collaboration & development of Wisconsin Credit Union League, a nonprofit organization that supports Wisconsin credit unions, including the Saver’s Sweepstakes savings programs for their members. (WCUL, 8/5)
Onalaska’s ALTRA Federal Credit Union to host money seminar for teens
ALTRA Federal Credit Union is hosting a free teens and money seminar. This event will be held on August 21 from 12:00p.m. – 2:00p.m. The interactive session for teens 13 to 17 will focus on budgeting and provide life skills on how to save money efficiently. Its limited to thirty students who will have the opportunity to win prizes. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 8/8)
UW Credit Union offers ways to reduce credit card interest rates
Senior Financial Specialist Brandon Labeots has worked at the University of Wisconsin’s Credit Union for more than 8 years. He recommends that consumers dealing with high credit card interest rates amid high debt, talk to their bank or credit union to find out their options. (UW Credit Union, 8/8)
Creating Community
Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity: Women’s Build helps single mother provide a stable home for her 10-year-old son
Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is celebrating women with its Women’s Build wall raising event on Wednesday, August 3 at 10 a.m. in Appleton at 2322 W. Prospect Avenue (map). This event is a chance to celebrate the volunteers, sponsors and staff who are helping to build this home. This year’s homeowner is Shaunna Toohey. Shaunna is a single mother of a 10-year-old son.(Community First Credit Union, 8/1)
Iron County Little League says “Thank you”
Nick Perlongo was presented with a $100 Visa Card by Susan Fritz (Owner of Dina Mia Kitchens) and Garth Soderberg (Iron County Little League President). (submitted photo)The Iron County Little League would like to thank Dina Mia Kitchen for their continued support with fundraising for the League. The League would also like to thank the following fine sponsors for the teams: Mike’s Muffex and Repair, Quality Harvesting, Krist Oil, Dina Mia Kitchens, Simbob Heating and Cooling, Crystal Falls Lion’s Club, Slivensky Hardware, CoVantage Credit Union, VanOss Forestry and American Classic. (CoVantage Credit Union, 8/3)
NEW Zoo treetop Canopy Tour opens
Excitement is soaring at the NEW Zoo -- or rather, over the NEW Zoo -- as a new attraction opens Saturday, August 6. The Neil Anderson Canopy Tour takes guests on a treetop walk from the Adventure Park to the zoo. The path goes through the trees and even crosses over animal habitats and is almost a half-mile long. This weekend, August 6 and August 7, the first 500 kids under age 16 take the canopy tour for free if they’re accompanied by a paid adult, thanks to a sponsorship by Capital Credit Union. (Capital Credit Union, 8/5)
Event Organizers Excited for 2022 Balloon Glow
The Lakeshore Balloon Glow 2022 is scheduled for the Manitowoc downtown riverfront on Friday night, August 19th. During an appearance, Thursday on WOMT’s After Further Review program with Jason and Tina Prigge, event spokesperson Heather Wesley of Fox Communities Credit Union, said they plan on having six hot air balloons tethered to the ground at dusk. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 8/8)
Community welcomes new Fort educators
The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Nasco and the Hoard Historical Museum, recently organized a breakfast to welcome Fort Atkinson’s newest teachers and administrators on Thursday, August 18. Approximately 45 newly hired teachers from Fort Atkinson’s public and private schools were invited for a meet-and-great style breakfast served by Carla’s Catering, hosted at the Hoard Historical Museum, and sponsored by Nasco. This annual tradition is a way of thanking these educators and leaders for their investment in Fort Atkinson’s youth, and for helping prepare them for future vocations. (Fort Community Credit Union, 8/26)
Fostering Excellence
Brantwood Credit Union Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Despite rain weather, nearly 70 people celebrated Brantwood Credit Union's 90th anniversary last week. (Brantwood Credit Union, 8/15)
Providing Innovative Solutions
Stockbridge-Munsee President Shannon Holsey to open Wisconsin Leadership Summit on Indigenous Peoples Day
hannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, will deliver the opening address at the Wisconsin Leadership Summit presented by UW Credit Union, which falls on October 10, Indigenous Peoples Day. “Opening our family reunion Summit on Indigenous Peoples Day and on Indigenous land, it’s important that an Indigenous voice welcome our guests and set the tone. I can’t think of a more important voice than President Holsey’s,” said Henry Sanders, CEO of 365 Media Foundation, which hosts the Wisconsin Leadership Summit. “It’s going to be two incredible days of sharing wisdom and building community and I’m grateful to President Holsey for helping us kick it off.” (UW Credit Union, 8/29)
Awarding Scholarships
UW Credit Union distributes more than $130,000 in scholarships to UW system students
UW Credit Union awarded 10 students a combined $30,000 this month on behalf of the credit union’s annual Community Values Scholarship program. An additional 17 students received nearly $105,000 in scholarships during the 2021-2022 school year through UW Credit Union’s campus endowment programs. Now in its ninth year, UW Credit Union’s Community Values Scholarship honors the volunteerism, activism and mentorship efforts of new and returning full-time undergraduate students attending a UW System school, Madison College or Edgewood College. (UW Credit Union, 8/10)
Post From Community: UW Credit Union distributes more than $130,000 in scholarships to UW system students
When UW Credit Union decided last year it was going to cut its overdraft fees, it got the attention of others in banking and officials in Washington, D.C. UW Credit Union CEO Paul Kundert was called before the House Financial Services Committee to talk about how that change has impacted the credit union. (UW Credit Union, 8/11)
Capital Credit Union Announces Scholarship Winners
Capital Credit Union recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships ($2,500 each) to 10 graduating seniors from seven area schools as part of the credit union’s scholarship program. The recipients were selected from 118 applicants using a rating system that emphasized “Doing the Right Thing” through volunteerism and commitment to community, including charitable and school activities, as well as academics. (Capital Credit Union, 8/11)
TruStone Financial Foundation Awards $60,000 in Scholarships
The TruStone Financial Foundation (the Foundation) recently awarded almost $60,000 in scholarships to members pursuing a secondary education in the 2022-2023 school year. The Foundation Board approved an increase of 300% in awards from 2021 to 2022 in an effort to provide more opportunities to further the education needs in its surrounding communities. This year, the scholarship programs include an increase in the award amounts for graduating high school seniors and the introduction of two new programs – one tailored to those transitioning into an adult education and another awarded to a junior student pursuing a finance degree. ( TruStone Financial Credit Union, 8/23)
Investing in Communities
Waterloo receives funding for revitalization project, sets community workshops
The City of Waterloo is moving forward with a downtown redevelopment plan, aided by the help of a donation from Avestar Credit Union. In an interview with the Courier, city mayor Jenifer Quimby and city economic development consultant Everett Butzine said Waterloo is trying to build momentum on a recent increase in housing and population growth in the city. (Avestar Credit Union, 8/17)
Nearly $4M investment will rehab East Hillside apartment complex
The Brewery Creek Terrace will have 16 affordable housing units and fiver market-rate housing units. The renovation is part of a partnership of investments from Heirloom Property Management, One Roof Community housing, Superior Choice Credit Union, and Essentia Health. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 8/20)
Beloit businesses install boxes to help reduce overdose deaths
As drug-related deaths rise in the nation, Beloit businesses take steps to ensure those experiencing an overdose can find help right away. Beloit organization Families Fighting Addiction partnered with the Madison-based non-profit Start Healing Now to install overdose aid kits, or OAKS, in area buildings. Each kit includes Narcan. Burtis says the response from area businesses, like Blackhawk Community Credit Union, is overwhelming. “Who knows maybe one of the kits that gets taken from our lobby saves a life, and that’s what this is about,” said Ceecee Phillips, Director of Marketing for Blackhawk. (Blackhawk Community Credit Union, 8/25)