When Jen Wagner started getting calls last summer from food pantries struggling to meet the rising need among Michigan families, she and her colleagues took an Honor Credit Union commitment to heart: “See a need, fill a need.”
In response, the staff developed an initiative to stock the shelves. Through the new Honor Pantry PowerUp program launched in September 2024, the credit union donated $30,000 to food banks around the state.
That’s just one of many examples of Honor making a positive community impact in 2024. The credit union also sponsored community events including the Kalamazoo Chili Cook-Off and the 28th Street Metro Cruise in Wyoming. Additionally, it made a wide range of donations to community organizations such as $3,000 to Miles for Memories Alzheimer’s programs in Battle Creek and $22,000 for new scoreboards at Marquette Little League ballfields.
All told, Honor contributed $895,000 in donations and sponsorships to hundreds of community organizations and events last year.
“We care about the things that our members care about,” said Wagner, Community Relations Manager for the member-owned credit union with 28 branches around the state. “That is our mission.
“It really is bigger than banking.”
RELATED: How credit unions are different than banks
While a bank may be in business to enrich its shareholders, Honor Credit Union exists to improve the lives of its members. It has been that way since 1934, when it was founded as Berrien Teachers Credit Union.
Although Honor’s mission originally focused on educators, membership now is open to anyone who lives, works or worships in Michigan. The credit union counts more than 110,000 members who have access to free checking and savings accounts with high yields on deposits as well as low rates on products, such as home mortgages and auto loans.
Honor’s priority is to support the financial wellness of members and help them grow their money. Part of that involves investing in the places where members live by supporting events and organizations that help Michigan communities thrive.
“Credit unions in general are about giving back to the people that are living, working and playing here, so Honor is continually serving the community,” said Kayla Smith, Senior Marketing Coordinator. “It’s really people helping people. We’re here to serve you and we’re here to help you.”
Here are four ways that Honor Credit Union is making a positive impact on communities across Michigan:
- Financial support of non-profit organizations both big and small such as the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan, which works to prevent child sexual abuse, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation and many others. This year, Honor donated $10,000 to the KRESA Foundation to support construction of a new campus for career and technical education in Kalamazoo, for example. The credit union also aided public safety agencies by helping the Marquette Police Department buy a snowmobile trailer and contributing to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office to allow them to add another dog to its K9 Division.
- Sponsorship of local community events such as providing free admission for children on Kids’ Day and discounted ride wristbands for the Berrien County Youth Fair. In the Allendale community, Honor sponsored free Kids Zone fun at the first-ever M45 Celebration. Honor also hosts Free Community Shred Day events 10 times a year in communities throughout Michigan for anyone to dispose of sensitive documents in a safe, secure, environmentally-responsible way. Last year’s shred days recycled nearly 100,000 pounds of paper.
- Employee volunteering at local parades, races and other community events such as the Living United in Color 5K in Coldwater and the United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Rake-A-Difference. Plus, more than 450 Honor employees contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours cleaning up beaches, packing emergency meals, assisting veterans and more during CU Kind Day last fall.
- Student scholarships and teacher awards given out each year. Now a 15-year tradition, in 2024 the Honor Credit Union Community Commitment Scholarship Program awarded a dozen $2,500 scholarships to Michigan high school seniors who go above and beyond by volunteering in the school and their community. Furthermore, 40 teachers around the state received $500 each for classroom supplies as part of Honor’s annual Teacher Awards.
- High school seniors apply now for a $2,500 scholarship (must be an Honor Credit Union member)
- Learn more about $500 teacher awards (credit union membership not required)
How You Can Partner With Honor Credit Union
Michigan high school seniors can apply for scholarships now through March 14 and Michigan teachers can nominate themselves to win $500 as part of Honor’s Teacher Awards later this year. Beyond that, any Honor member can submit a Partnership Request Form for the credit union to support an organization or upcoming event.
And, of course, you can join Honor in making a positive impact by participating in your local community events, such as the BOSS Services’ 9/11 Hero Climb presented by Honor Credit Union. Held on Sept. 11 at St. Joseph High School, the annual event invites people to commemorate the selfless service of first responders by repeating the number of steps they took up the stairways of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
“There’s hundreds of people walking up and down stairs including firefighters there in full gear and people carrying flags,” said Beth Anderson, Marketing Community Development Officer at Honor. “It’s a really emotional day and the money raised is all for local fire and police departments to purchase emergency lifesaving equipment.”
It’s just one more way Honor makes a community impact that’s bigger than banking.
“At Honor we want you to have a safe place to grow your money, but we also want to see you, your family and those you care about prosper,” Anderson said. “We all want to be in a community where we’re all thriving together.”
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