Page 27 - Michigan Credit Union League: 2018 Contact Q3

A LITTLE CREDIT UNION DOING
NOT-SO-LITTLE THINGS

This past May, a very small credit union did a very big thing. Two HBCFCU employees and two board members spent

Harbor Beach Community Federal Credit Union (HBCFCU), a the day at the Fair alongside a group from Community

financial institution that consists of three part-time employ- Connections and several other volunteers.

ees, conducted a Financial Reality Fair with Harbor Beach

Community Connections. “We had a lot of positive feedback from both students and

staff, and were told by several teachers that this is something

Community Connections is a grant-funded program through that is needed. Many of the children do not get this type

the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy focused on empow- of guidance from home,” said Lovejoy who mentioned that,

ering individuals toward independence and self-sufficiency. during the event’s postmortem with Community Connections,

Over the past three years, the two organizations have forged there was already excitement for a future Fair.

a relationship through collaboration. Their Financial Reality

Fair, held at Harbor Beach Community Schools, was the most “Thanks to Beth Troost for working with Community

significant display of that partnership to date. Connections and the credit union to make this happen, and

to the Michigan Credit Union Foundation for the grant that

“We considered ourselves very fortunate when they offered we received, which covered everything we needed to run the

to do the Financial Reality Fair with help from us,” said Lori Fair. Finally, thanks to Community Connections for all your

Lovejoy, HBCFCU manager. “Being a small credit union with work putting everything together,” said Lovejoy.

only three part-time employees, we figured that this was

something that we would never be able to do, but Community “If you are a small credit union, look to your community orga-

Connections went above and beyond. They got everything set nizations for help, or maybe even the school would be willing

up, from volunteers to supplies, secured the school space to look for volunteers and help you out,” Lovejoy continued.

to use, set the date of the Fair and worked with the Huron “It’s definitely something that everyone benefits from.”

Intermediate School District to print budget supplies.”

Get Involved with the Michigan
Credit Union Foundation

Cooperatively helping credit unions thrive and serve Michigan communities through financial
education, community reinvestment and professional development support.

Learn More, Donate or Apply for Programs Today! www.MCUF.mcul.org

THIRD QUARTER 2018 I CONTACT 27