During the 2007-2008 school year, Parkside CU (DR) introduced a scholarship program, entitled “Your Friend for Life,” to
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Parkside CU Chairman of the Board, David Poirier, poses with a scholarship recipient, Breanna Luckett.
Grand Valley Co-op CU staff participate in the Fourth of July parade in Caledonia, Michigan
PTCU Scholarship Recipients and Family pose
Top sellers Mary Robinson, Cari Edgerly and Sarah Vogel join Jenny Hoyle and ICCU CEO Jay Anders (center) in presenting a check to Junior Achievement officials.
Charles Kraiger, left, receives the Caesar Sams Scholarship check from PCCU Marketing Administrator Eric Sheldon.
From left, Pioneer Middle School students Justin Thompson, Jamie Emens and Tessa Warner display their photos that are part of the school’s “Behind the Lens” exhibit that will be on display at Community Financial’s Plymouth branch in September.
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the Livonia and Wayne-Westland Public School Districts. The scholarship program is intended to assist students in furthering their education after they graduate from high school. The students must have demonstrated their drive for academic achievement, while overcoming challenges throughout their high school careers. This year’s recipients of the “Your Friend for Life” scholarships are: Paige Bawcum – Wayne Memorial, Gregory Wirick – Churchill High School and Breanna Luckett – John Glen High School. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship towards his or her academic future. Parkside Credit Union looks forward to continuing this scholarship program during the next school year.
CASE Cares, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization established last fall by CASE CU (LN), has a goal of improving the lives of youth with mental and physical disabilities. With the help and generosity of Greater Lansing, including credit union members, civic groups, schools, churches, healthcare providers and the business sector, CASE Cares has a goal of constructing a Miracle League baseball field with a special rubberized turf accessible to children with all physical and mental abilities. The Miracle League baseball field will cost an estimated $1 million to construct. Over the past few months, members of the CASE Cares Board of Directors have met with several city, township and county officials to present the concept. After reviewing various options, the CASE Cares Board decided to accept the offer from DeWitt Charter Township officials to construct a Miracle League baseball field at Valley Farms Park which is connected to Granger Meadow Park. CASE Cares is responsible for obtaining the funding and overseeing the development and construction for the Miracle League field, while the land will be provided at no cost. “It will take a wealth of resources to make the baseball field a reality,” said Terry Pearson, president/CEO of CASE CU and CASE Cares treasurer. So far, according to Pearson, the idea for the project is well-received by local community leaders. “Now that we have the land, we need to move forward with raising the money for construction and the equipment as well as recruiting volunteers to help with the project,” she said. “We need help from volunteers every step of the way – from shoveling stones, to running earthmoving equipment to raising money. Currently, we have a wonderful group of volunteer project advisors lending their expertise as we move forward.”
Berrien Teachers CU (SW) raised $11,000 in its 2008 Relay for Life event. BTCU’s members and employees strongly support Relay for Life through many volunteer hours and donations. The charitable effort also includes contributions from local corporate sponsors. “We are very thankful to our members, sponsors and all of the employees at BTCU for all of the hard work and dedication they put into this event each year. It really pays off,” said Robin Wilson, BTCU staff member. Wilson serves as chairperson of the charity committee, and Yalonda Forsythe, also a BTCU staff member, serves as the committee’s vice chair.
Grand Valley Co-op CU (GR) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by participating in community events. In the Fourth of July parade in Caledonia, credit union staff handed out packaged candy, t-shirts, American flags and custom seat cushions. There were an estimated 200 participants in the parade.
Peoples Trust CU (OC) awarded $13,000 in college scholarships at a banquet held July 25 for the 82 participants in its 18th annual scholarship program. The $13,000 in awards for 2008-2009 is an increase of more than 50 percent from the $8,500 paid out in each of the past six years. Since 1991, the credit union has awarded over $130,000 in college scholarships. Board member Faye Perkins-Barnes said, “For 18 years, Peoples Trust CU has awarded scholarships to young members. Thanks to our board of directors for having the foresight to initiate this outstanding program, which has made PTCU a leader among Michigan credit unions in its commitment to youth. We are pleased to increase the amount awarded to deserving students at a time when the local economy is struggling.”
Winners included: Jacob Schultz, Geoffrey Garrett, Robert Bergen, James Russell, Jacob Walters, Lauren Gassman, Kori Fields, Carol Taylor, Sarah Bryan and Nicholas Gramenos.
A record was broken when Isabella Community CU (MM) member-owners donated $1,157 for a Junior Achievement (JA) school house fundraiser. Although credit unions typically “cooperate amongst cooperatives,” ICCU accepted a challenge to beat the record previously set by Members First CU (MM) in Midland. The goal was to see who could raise the most money selling Junior Achievement “school houses.” “ICCU members were exceptionally generous this year,” said ICCU President/CEO Jay Anders. “They donated dollars for a very worthy cause. All of the money raised will stay in our community and provide financial literacy and consumer-focused education to help students become considerate citizens and smart consumers.” For two years running, West M-20’s Head Teller Mary (Ann) Robinson has been ICCU’s top fundraiser. “Our members are wonderful and gave so graciously,” Robinson said. “The West M-20 office was plastered with school houses. They covered every wall and open space … and near the end, we had to put them on the ceiling.” Jenny Hoyle, ICCU vice president of operations, is a classroom presenter and serves on the Junior Achievement of Isabella County Board of Directors. “ICCU actively supports JA efforts and fundraisers, and encourages its employees to do the same,” Hoyle said. Eight ICCU employees actively participated in six-week JA classroom sessions in area elementary schools this semester. “Community is in our name, and we take great pride in supporting youth financial literacy in our community,” Hoyle said. “Teaching basic financial skills to consumers of all ages has been part of ICCU’s social mission and strategic direction since its inception in 1958, and will continue to be for the next 50 years and beyond.“
The Post Community CU (BC) Caesar Sams Scholarship of Academic Achievement was created to aid the development of local youth’s higher educational aspirations while also recognizing them for their outstanding participation in their community. The 2008 PCCU Caesar Sams Scholarship of Academic Achievement has been awarded to Charles Kraiger, a graduating senior from Galesburg-Augusta High School. The scholarship will help him with tuition and other educational expenses at Michigan State University for his first year. The award is named after Caesar Sams, a longtime credit union member and volunteer on PCCU’s board of directors for over 34 years. Caesar is the personification of community involvement and service at the credit union.
What started as a field trip and interdisciplinary project for students at Plymouth-Canton’s Pioneer Middle School has evolved into a unique traveling exhibit that will soon go on display at Community Financial Members FCU (MW), an exhibit sponsor. During field trips to New York City and Detroit, 8th grade students from Pioneer explored their new surroundings through the lens of a camera – taking pictures and journaling individual experiences. The Plymouth Community Arts Council (PCAC) is collaborating with Pioneer to take the exhibit to a wider audience by producing the overall design, charting out the story line and developing the text panels for display. “As a long time supporter of the PCAC, along with our many activities and partnerships with local schools, we were pleased to become a sponsor for this wonderful exhibit,” said Bill Lawton, CEO of Community Financial Members FCU. “We are honored that it will be on display at our Plymouth headquarters. We invite everyone to stop in.” The exhibit will be on display from Monday, September 8 to Tuesday, September 23, at Community Financial’s headquarters located at 500 S. Harvey in Plymouth. Beginning in September, Community Financial and Pioneer will launch a student-run credit union which will be operated by student volunteers from the 7th grade Life Management class, taught by Charlotte Milotz. The student volunteers will be interviewed and trained by Community Financial team members. Pioneer is the 16th school in the Plymouth-Canton District to operate a student-run credit union.
Since 2003, First General CU (MN) has asked their membership to donate school supplies and to nominate area school teachers that exemplify excellence and caring. This year, the honor went to kindergarten teacher Jennifer Schultz of North Muskegon Elementary. Schultz was nominated by her student Luci Nieboer and her mother Emily Edenburn. While Nieboer was battling a serious health issue, Schultz made special trips to the DeVos Children’s Hospital to visit and tutor her. She also kept the family informed of illnesses in her classroom that may affect Nieboer’s health, and gave her care and attention when she wasn’t feeling well. “We were so impressed by Mrs. Schultz and how much she cares and supports us,” Edenburn said. “There just isn’t any way we can ever thank her enough for being so wonderful at this time.” Schultz received three large bins of school supplies that included paper products, pencils, markers, crayons as well as backpacks, tissue, and disinfectant wipes.
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