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KCCU Hosts Winter Coat Drive 9/29/2022

KCCU Hosts Coat Drive to Help Support Communities

September 29, 2022

KCCU is ready to kick-off our annual coat drive to help the members of the communities in which they serve stay warm this winter. The coat drive will run from October 1st – 31st, and items can be dropped off in the lobby at any open KCCU branch location. Financial hardship can make it difficult for some families and individuals to ensure that they’ll be dressed properly this winter, making this annual coat drive arrive at the perfect time. We know the KCCU team, members, and the community will come together and show support for this worthy cause, as they have done in years past.

KCCU is partnering with Charitable Union (Battle Creek), There’s Enough (Marshall), St. Joseph County United Way (Three Rivers), Salvation Army (Kalamazoo County), and Bethany Christian Services (Grand Rapids), to help provide the cold weather gear to those who may need assistance. Both new and gently used coats, snow pants, hats, mittens, and scarves, that are clean and in good condition, in all sizes from adults to infants and everything in-between, are welcome. The items collected will be distributed to local families in need by these community partners.
           
“KCCU is pleased to be able to support the communities that we serve in any way that we can. The cold months are approaching and with the financial challenges of the current economy, we want to ensure that members of our community have the cold weather gear they need to stay warm,” stated KCCU’s CEO, Tracy Miller. “This year, like in years past, with your help we can make a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals who may need a little assistance. It’s just one of the ways we give back to the community and live out our people helping people philosophy. It’s an honor to partner with these wonderful charitable organizations and support our local initiatives. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank everyone who donates to our Coat Drive!”

KCCU’s vision statement includes “providing opportunity and lifelong value to our members and our community.” KCCU takes this statement seriously, and for the past eighteen years they’ve hosted a Coat Drive in partnership with community-based organizations like Charitable Union, There’s Enough, United Way, the Salvation Army, and Bethany Christian Services, as part of their commitment to their vision.

KCCU Announces Teacher Grant Recipients9/1/2022

 

      

KCCU Supports Local Teacher with Grants

September 9, 2022

KCCU is thrilled to announce that for the second year in a row, we awarded teachers throughout West Michigan with grants for their classrooms. We understand that great educators are always seeking innovative ways to enhance their instruction and engage their students. With small classroom budgets, teachers often use their own funds to purchase supplies to provide the best educational experience for their students, and KCCU wanted to offer support to these deserving teachers.

The KCCU Teacher Grant Program was launched in 2021 and returned this year to provide classroom funds to local educators. Fifteen (15) teachers were selected to each receive $400 to purchase classroom supplies, totaling $6,000 going back to the classrooms in the communities they serve!   

“At KCCU, we are committed to helping teachers who are educating our students and future leaders,” said Tracy Miller, KCCU’s CEO. “We know that teachers work hard and put in a lot of time, and often their own money, to provide the best possible learning experience for their students. Our hope is with these grants, educators can get the tools and resources needed for their students to succeed in the classroom.”

“My students are multilingual learners who come to school with a wide variety of needs,” said Casey Quick, English teacher at Parkview Elementary and recipient of a KCCU Teacher Grant.  “I need a wide variety of resources in my classroom to help students achieve growth in their English language proficiency. This award will help me purchase classroom materials, books, and teaching resources that could help me address a great number of student needs. Learning a new language is incredibly difficult,” adds Ms. Quick, “but when I see students read and write new words, grow in their understanding of how English works, and speak more often in class, I am filled with joy. It really is special to be a part of a student's journey in learning a language.”

The KCCU Teacher Grant Program is open to all educators, Pre-K through grade 12, who teach in the 15 counties that KCCU serves.  Visit www.kelloggccu.org for more information and to see the recent winners.

Ribbon Cutting for New Marshall Branch Location8/29/2022

KCCU Celebrates New Marshall Branch with a Ribbon Cutting

August, 29, 2022

KCCU recently held a ribbon cutting celebration at our new branch located at 107 N. Park Avenue in downtown Marshall across from the Brooks Memorial Fountain. The ribbon cutting celebration was attended by the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA)/Choose Marshall, Choose Marshall Ambassadors, KCCU Team members as well as, KCCU Board members and official family. 

KCCU has served the Marshall community for over 13 years! KCCU is proud to be investing in the Marshall community with the purchase of a permanent home in a historic building in the heart of downtown Marshall.

This new location allows KCCU to offer its members more convenience with access to drive-up banking and a 24-hour ATM. It will also offer the full array of financial services members are accustomed to, including: assistance with daily transactions; savings and high dividend checking accounts; auto and other loans; mortgages; investment services; and commercial accounts including lending, for a one stop shop experience.

“We are excited to have our beautiful new branch open and ready to continue to serve both new and existing members in the wonderful vibrant Marshall community,” stated Tracy Miller, Kellogg Community Credit Union’s CEO. “Our new branch will allow us to enhance the member experience and better serve our members. As a community minded organization, we look forward to supporting our members, our neighbors, and the thriving commercial and small businesses that call Marshall home.”

“We at Choose Marshall are so pleased to have KCCU as a chamber member offering another alternative for financial services to our community,” stated Patty Williams, Choose Marshall’s Business Development Manager. “We are excited for what the future holds in their larger, newly renovated location, which will give them more visibility in Marshall.”

KCCU Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients5/11/2022

KCCU Invests in Student’s Futures with Scholarships 

Kellogg Community Credit Union is investing in the future of our local students by awarding 10 KCCU College Scholarships! The KCCU Scholarship provides $1,000 towards tuition for students attending an accredited Michigan college, university, or trade school. We are  thrilled to announce that we enhanced the program this year by awarding twice as many scholarships! After reviewing all the scholarship entries, KCCU would like to congratulate these ten deserving recipients who were selected for their outstanding achievements:

Braelyn Roach

Braelyn is a 2018 Athens High School graduate and is going into her senior year at Grand Valley State University. Braelyn plans to become a Special Education teacher and is currently doing her student teaching at Battle Creek Central High School.  

Brisa Hernandez

Brisa is a 2021 Lakeview High School graduate and is currently attending Western Michigan University where she is taking pre-med courses. Brisa aspires to be a pediatrician. She is involved in several student organizations including, Nxt Gen, Latino Student Alliance, and A Moment of Magic.

Sharon Kingston

Sharon is a nontraditional and first-generation college student, attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College for business management. She aspires to start her own catering business. 

Claire Keegan

Claire is a class of 2022 student at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership and Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center. Claire will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in Computer Science with a minor in dance. Claire devotes much of her spare time taking dance lessons, mentoring young dancers, and performing at Children’s hospitals. She also volunteers her time at the Comstock Township Library and sews baby care items for local charities.

Gage Stenger

Gage is a Vicksburg High School senior. He plans to attend Western Michigan University to pursue a degree in Chemistry. While attending high school, he was involved in National Honor Society, tennis, track and field, hockey, and was class president all four years he attended high school.

Jack Austin

Jack is a Lakeview High School senior. He plans to attend Western Michigan University to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre and a teaching certificate, so that he may become a theatre teacher and director. While in high school, he was involved in National Honor Society, Lakeview Show Choir, Lakeview Theatre department, and was a part of an outside theatre company that presented two musicals.

Rachel Myers

Rachel is a class of 2022 St. Philip Catholic Central student. She plans to attend Central Michigan University for biology/pre-med, to eventually become a pediatrician. While in high school, Rachel played varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was Vice President of the National Honor Society, President of Interact, and volunteered for a variety of service projects.

Sara Bussey

Sara is a 2022 Kalamazoo Christian High School graduate. She plans to attend either Western Michigan University or University of Michigan for a degree in biochemistry to later pursue a Pharmacy degree. During high school, Sara was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities including piano, quiz bowl, school theatre, church Bell Choir, Concert Band, Chinese lessons, and volunteering in the community.

Therese Campos

Therese is a 2022 St Phillip Central High School graduate. She plans to attend the University of Michigan for a degree in Movement Science to eventually become an occupational therapist. During high school she played varsity soccer, track, cross country, and basketball. She was also involved in yearbook, student government, the robotics team, National Honor Society, and more!

Brayden Shifflett

Brayden is a 2022 Harper Creek High School graduate. He plans to attend Grand Valley State University to pursue a health career. During high school, Brayden played football and also ran cross country and track.

As a credit union, KCCU is founded on the philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ by offering scholarships to assist individuals with the increasing cost of higher education, KCCU is reinforcing its commitment to the financial and educational success of its members.

“At KCCU we consider these scholarships an investment in the future leaders of our world, as well as an investment in our community,” said Tracy Miller, CEO of Kellogg Community Credit Union. “To be part of their next steps after high school and help them reach their educational goals is something we look forward to every year. We are wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.”

The Kellogg Community Credit Union Scholarship Program was established to assist KCCU members who are planning to attend or currently attend an accredited Michigan college or university or are working towards a certification or degree program in the trades at state supported community colleges. 2022 marks the thirty-fourth year of KCCU’s scholarship program, and since its inception they have awarded roughly $175,000 to local students. KCCU’s Board of Directors, Management, and Staff congratulate the 2022 scholarship winners, and thank the many other exceptional students who applied.

 

KCCU Supports Community Food Banks3/24/2022

  
 _{KCCU team members presented a check for $500 to Susie Dutcher, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Feeding America West Michigan}

March 23, 2022

KCCU hosted a food drive in celebration of National Canned Food month. We invited our members, team, and community to bring nonperishable food items to any branch location during the month of February.We are excited to announce the food drive was a great success and will have an immediate impact on the local communities.

Since the pandemic started, food banks and pantries have consistently seen an increase in demand. KCCU took notice to this and wanted to live out their mission of people helping people. By partnering with local charities, KCCU strives to make their communities stronger by providing support for those experiencing food insecurity.

KCCU collected over 560lbs of food and pledged $500 to the South Michigan Food Bank, serving southern counties of Michigan, and $500 to Feeding America West Michigan, which serves the Western and Northern counties of Michigan.

With food banks heavily relying on assistance from volunteers to package and prepare food donations, KCCU team members stepped up to also volunteer time at the South Michigan Food Bank. Through our food and monetary donations, as well as volunteer effort, we provided a total of 6,669 meals to those in need.

 _{KCCU team members, presented a check for $500 to the South Michigan Food Bank.}

“I am humbled by the heartwarming generosity of our members, team, and community,” said Tracy Miller, KCCU’s CEO. “Everyone came to together to help our neighbors in need, so that no person, child, or family facing food insecurity has to wonder where their next meal will come from. We are also grateful for the hard work and dedication that the South Michigan Food Bank and Feeding America West Michigan put forth to help fight hunger in our communities. We are so proud to be a longtime supporter of the local food banks.”

"This $500 gift from Kellogg Community Credit Union will help Feeding America West Michigan provide 2,000 meals worth of food to neighbors in need!" reported Susie Dutcher, Corporate Partnership Manager for Feeding American West Michigan.

Summer Sunnock, Advancement Director for the South Michigan Food Bank, states, “We are grateful to have such an excellent partner in Kellogg Community Credit Union. They not only provided funds, food, and volunteer time during their fundraiser; they care deeply about our community!Over 1,500 people will recevie food because of their efforts alone - thank you for your passion & dedication.”

 

KCCU to Open Convenient New Branch in Downtown Marshall3/4/2022

February 23, 2022

We are excited to announce that our Marshall branch will move to a new location in 2022! KCCU recently purchased the historic building located at 107 N. Park Avenue – across the street from the Brooks Memorial fountain and just down the road from their current branch.

KCCU Featured in CreditUnions.com Article3/1/2022

Kellogg Community Credit Union was featured in a recent creditunions.com article. The article showcases KCCU's balance between loan growth and member impact, and how KCCU strives to provide greater value in the products and services offered to members. Want to learn more? Read the article here.