CUs in the News: August 2026

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

Fill the Gazebo collects over 1,000 pounds of food, $10,000 for local pantries
The annual Fill the Gazebo event collected 1,092 pounds of food, personal hygiene items, and paper products, along with more than $10,000 in monetary donations, organizers announced. The event was held Jun. 13, 2026, at Normal Park in Merrill from 9 to 11 a.m. Donated goods were packed into boxes provided by Church Mutual and distributed among four local organizations. The Merrill Community Food Pantry, Trinity’s Open Hearts Food Pantry, and New Testament’s His Hands Extended Food Pantry each received 20 boxes, while the Food for Kids Program received two boxes of items suitable for the program. The monetary donations were divided among the same four organizations. (Park City Credit Union. 8/1)

MMCCU Book Drive Collects More Than 300 Books for Marshfield Children’s Hospital
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union (MMCCU) announced the successful conclusion of its community book drive benefiting the book vending machine at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. MMCCU members and community supporters donated 281 new books for young patients and visitors. The collection included popular chapter books for older readers as well as colorful, beautifully illustrated picture books for younger children. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 8/5)

Community First Credit Union commits $1 million to Fox Cities tornado relief
Community First Credit Union has announced a $1 million commitment to support relief and rebuilding efforts in Fox Cities communities affected by the recent tornado, including Menasha, Appleton, Neenah and Fox Crossing. The credit union described the pledge as one of the largest community recovery commitments in its history. (Community First Credit Union, 8/4)

Summit Credit Union partners to help members with terminal illness
Summit Credit Union announced a new partnership with TriUnity Foundation, a national nonprofit created by and for credit unions, that provides financial assistance to credit union members facing terminal or life-threatening illness. Applications are now being accepted through Sept. 15, with grants of $2,500 or $10,000 available to Summit Credit Union members. (Summit Credit Union, 8/5)

La Crosse Loggers bring together CMN families for night of baseball and fundraising
The La Crosse Loggers hosted their annual tribute to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) in partnership with Firefighters Credit Union Tuesday night. More than 20 current and former CMN hero families came together for a night of baseball and fun. Heroes and their families threw out the first pitch and took part in on-field games. For one family, the night served as a reminder that when times get tough, it’s okay to ask for help. (Firefighters Credit Union, 8/6)

Third annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk – Milwaukee raises $37,244 for America’s Heroes
The third annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk – Milwaukee brought together 263 participants at Veterans Memorial Park in Muskego on August 1, 2026, raising $37,244 to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Corporate Central proudly served as the event’s title sponsor, helping unite the community in honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s military members and first responders. (Corporate Central Credit Union, 8/11)

Superior Choice Credit Union hands out 200 food boxes following local food shelf closure
VIDEO (Superior Choice Credit Union, 8/7)

How five Wisconsin credit unions responded when an EF-3 tornado hit the Fox Valley
Verve, a Credit Union opened its Oneida Street branch in Appleton, Wisconsin, as something other than a branch on July 28, the day after an EF-3 tornado tore through the Fox Valley. Staff set out bags filled with bottled water, snacks, and other supplies for anyone who needed them. The lobby stayed open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for people who wanted to charge a phone, cool off in the air conditioning, or use a restroom. Thousands of Fox Valley customers were still without power that week. Verve kept the station running through July 31. (Community First Credit Union, Evergreen Credit Union, Fox Communities Credit Union, Prospera Credit Union, Verve, a Credit Union, 8/11)

Menasha’s ‘Party at the Park with a Purpose’ focuses on helping tornado victims
This year’s “Party at the Park with a Purpose” focused on helping storm victims in the Fox Valley. The free event at Barker Farm Park in Menasha featured resources and giveaways for those affected, including free meals and a laundry basket filled with supplies for the first 100 households. (CoVantage Credit Union, 8/19)

Habitat for Humanity announces ‘Tornado Rock the Block 100’ effort
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is undertaking a new challenge: repair 100 tornado-damaged homes by Dec. 15. It’s the group’s largest effort in more than 30 years. The effort, called “Tornado Rock the Block 100” will focus on replacing roofs, windows, doors and exterior damage to homes so they are ready for winter. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 8/27)

 

Supporting Financial Literacy

Local Royal Credit Union advocate talks about financial literacy for youth
Last month, the National Credit Union Administration or NCUA hosted Vision250, a series of roundtable discussions in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. An opportunity for leaders to talk about ideas, actions that will shape the future of the industry. WEAU’s Bob Gallaher sat down with Royal Credit Union’s Vice-President of Community Engagement, Jennifer McHugh who was the lone representative from Wisconsin to travel to Washington D.C. to talk about financial well-being, financial literacy and the importance of educating our youth. (Royal Credit Union, 8/5)

UW Credit Union introduces free college-credit financial literacy course for high schoolers
UW Credit Union will subsidize a three-credit personal finance course for eligible Wisconsin high school students through a new collaboration with its longtime campus banking partner, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay). (UW Credit Union, 8/4)

 

Fostering Excellence

Five rising credit union leaders named finalists in 2026 CUES Emerge competition
CUES and partner Currency Marketing are pleased to announce the Final Five selected to compete for the title of 2026 CUES Emerging Leader. CUES Emerge is designed to equip rising credit union professionals with the skills, confidence, and visibility to accelerate their careers. Through live and online learning, peer collaboration, and mentorship, participants sharpen their ability to develop and present business cases that advance innovative ideas within their credit unions and communities. (Royal Credit Union, 8/13)

The best credit unions to work for in 2026
Americans don’t feel great about work these days. At the end of 2025, more than half of U.S. workers wanted to leave their jobs, according to one recent Gallup poll. But at credit unions, the vibe is different. According to surveys by American Banker and the consulting firm Best Companies Group, credit-union employees across the country are quite happy with their employers. (UnitedOne Credit Union, PCM Credit Union, Kohler Credit Union, 8/25)