News Releases
Money Smart Week Wisconsin is coming Oct. 2-9!: Capital Credit Union partners with other area businesses to promote financial literacy.
Kimberly, WI — Several exciting Money Smart events and activities are planned for the Fox Cities area! All Money Smart Week events are FREE and focused on ways to learn about smart ways to manage your money. Visit moneysmartwi.org to learn more about these and many more Money Smart Week events taking place in our local areas. Visit moneysmartwi.org for a full listing of events for people of all ages in the Fox Cities and throughout the state.
Sat. Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. - The Big Read Gets Bigger is designed for kids ages 3-8 (and their parents), 10:00-11:00 a.m. at 15 area libraries in the Fox Cities, Winnebago, Fond du Lac and Brown counties); 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Appleton, and Apple Blossom Books in Oshkosh. Every child who RSVPs gets a free book! Fox Cities Money Smart Week kick-off event. Sign up today to reserve your book at 832-6173 or at apl.org/bigread.
Mon., Oct. 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Author Alice Wood talks about her new book, Wealth Watchers, at Oshkosh North High School, 100 W. Smith Ave., Oshkosh. Wood is the founder and President of Wealth Watchers International. Her book combines the principles of fiscal responsibility with the Weight Watchers tracking system to set you on a course to financial health.
Wed. Oct. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. - A "Meet the Author" presentation at the Appleton Public Library, 225 N. Oneida St., Appleton, featuring author Chris Farrell. Farrell will discuss highlights from his latest book, The New Frugality, about how to get the most from your money in todayÕs new economy. For more information, call the Appleton Public Library or visit apl.org.
Thurs. Oct. 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m. - An Evening With Susan Beacham, How To Raise a Money Smart Kid at Appleton North High School. Seen on Oprah, Dr. Phil, and the Today Show, Susan was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the topic of kids and saving (see below). The first 100 families registered receive a free Money Savvy Piggy Bank or a Cash Cache Personal Finance Organizer (either/or- one per family). Sign up for this free event today! Call FISC at 886-1000 or register online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/852867951/efbnen.
Fri. Oct. 8, 4-7 p.m. - Capital's Critters 4th Annual Kiddie Karnival for kids ages 12 and younger. Held at Capital Credit Union's 855 Eisenhower Dr. office in Kimberly. Kids and parents alike love this FREE, fun, kid-centered event. Carnival games and other activities focused on make this event enjoyable for parents, and prizes and goodies are always a big draw for the kids. Pick up your tickets at any Capital location for kids ages 12 and younger. Held indoors, so event will be held rain or shine. Watch for tickets available soon at all of our Capital locations!
Interested in winning $3,500? Apply today to be one of the three chosen contestants for the Money Smart Week Fox Cities Financial Makeover Challenge which runs from Dec. 15, 2010-April 15, 2011. You'll learn ways to better save and manage your money from financial experts and, if you complete the challenge as a selected contestant, you're guaranteed a minimum cash prize of $750. Call FISC at 886-1000 for more information or to apply. Deadline to apply is Mon. Nov. 1, 2010.
The Fox Cities Money Smart Week speaker, Susan Beacham, was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal article as seen below:
Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Journal just published an article regarding "Managing Expectations of Costly Kids" in which I was fortunate enough to be included regarding budget restrictions and tough economic choices with kids - especially when it affects purchases for them.
As stated in Sue's article, "the cost of raising kids is continuing to rise. A middle-income family can expect to shell out nearly a quarter of a million dollars, or $222,360, to raise a baby born in 2009 to age 18, according to the Department of Agriculture. That is up about 1.4% from 2007, before the recession began-and it doesn't include college costs." Wow!
Economic times are tough and kids don't always understand how it impacts them. So before telling your kids (especially teens) that you just can't afford something at the mall and then spend $150 at the grocery store, set a budget for them on their necessities, make them stick to it and have them account for their spending. It takes time and resolve to stick to it, but making them accountable will help them better understand "needs" vs. "wants" and, as demonstrated in the article, they may come up with some creative (and economical) solutions of their own in the process. Go to wsj.com to read the full article in The Wall Street Journal online.
Local Food Drive Welcomes Donations to Help People & Pets: Capital Credit Union kicked off their 11th Annual Food Drive (June 16-July 23) with a lively night of fun at their 7th Annual Shopping Cart Races held on June 16, including partners and representatives from several area businesses and non-profit organizations.
Kimberly, WI — Donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene and pet care items will be accepted at any of Capital's 12 locations in Kimberly, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Appleton, Greenville, Freedom, Neenah, and Oshkosh now through July 23 during Capital's 11th Annual Food Drive. This year's goal is to collect 2 TONS (4,000 pounds) of food and pet care items to benefit seven are food pantries and three local animal care associations:
• St. Joseph's Food Pantry ÐMenasha/Appleton/Greater Fox Cities area
• Hortonville Community Food Pantry - Hortonville/Greenville/Dale
• St. John's Food Pantry - Little Chute
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry - Kaukauna
• Freedom Food Pantry
• St. Martin's Food Pantry - Oshkosh
• Oshkosh Area Community Pantry
• Fox Valley Humane Association - Greater Fox Cities area
• Oshkosh Area Humane Society - Greater Oshkosh area
• Saving Paws Animal Rescue - Greater Fox Cities area
Capital's 7th Annual Shopping Cart Races kicked off the Food Drive on June 16 with plenty of good-natured fun and competition. Dressed in themed costumes, 12 teams of Capital employees and two teams from Larry's Piggly Wiggly stores raced up and down makeshift grocery aisles in the parking lot of Capital's Eisenhower Drive office in Kimberly. "The Tootsie Rollers" team from Capital's Little Chute office took first place in the Races, including Sara Dedering, Jennifer Hebbe, Darlene Laha, and Vickie Pynenberg. Best costume for the evening went to the "Hunger Stinks" team from Capital's Oshkosh office, with Michael Johnson, Shawn Mueller, Leah Vander Velden, and Michael Weeks. Every child was a winner in the Kiddie Shopping Cart Races for kids ages 4-8, as each participant took home a medal or a prize.
Larry's Piggly Wiggly and 95.9 KISS FM partnered with Capital for the Shopping Cart Races. Capital's President and CEO Alan Zierler was head referee for the night, DJ Dayton Kane from KISS FM emceed the event, and Piggly Wiggly's President Tom Verhagen supported his teams as a cheerleader and morale booster.
Capital's mascot, Maximillion, and Mr. Pig from Larry's Piggly Wiggly greeted participants and spectators alike. Several local media celebrities and representatives from area food pantries and animal care associations served as costume judges for the evening:
• Kathryn Bracho - News Anchor, WBAY TV 2
• Dan Flannery - The Post-Crescent, Executive Editor
• Chuck Lakefield - 94.3 FM, DJ and Radio Personality
• Toni - St. John's Food Pantry, Little Chute
• Shari Waldron - St. Joseph's Food Program, Menasha
• Jim Garon - Hortonville Food Pantry, Hortonville
• Steve Vickman - Oshkosh Area Community Pantry
• Sally Lamers - Fox Valley Humane Association
• Cheryl Rosenthal - Oshkosh Area Humane Society
Last year, Capital's members, employees, and community residents donated more than 4,000 pounds of items to the Food Drive, and the goal is to collect the same amount or more this year. Donations of the following items are being accepted from the public and may be dropped off at any of Capital's 12 locations, now through July 23 (please, no glass containers):
Non-perishable food - Peanut butter, rice, dried beans, crackers, canned fruits and vegetables, dry cereal, oatmeal, flour, macaroni and cheese, pasta, canned beef stew, boxed complete meals, soup, spaghetti sauce, sugar, tuna, paper products, and other non-perishable foods
Personal care products - Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, and conditioner
Pet care items - Purina brand dog and cat food, pine chips (bedding), rabbit food pellets, cat litter, bleach, trash bags, liquid laundry detergent, and floor cleaner
The Shopping Cart Races and Food Drive are just two of the many ways Capital gives back to those in need. Capital Credit Union is proud to team up with area businesses in supporting area food pantries and animal care associations while offering a fun event to the communities they serve.
Capital Credit Union Awards $7,000 in Scholarships to Area High School Students: Seven area high school students received scholarship awards during ceremonies at their schools.
Kimberly, WI — The seven winners, who were chosen from among 44 applicants, will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Winners include the following graduating seniors from area high schools:
• Kyle Ashauer - Xavier High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Laura Frasetto - Little Chute High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or La Crosse
• Zachary Lamers - Kimberly High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Amber Latimer - Fox Valley Lutheran High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
• Kia M. Maki - Wrightstown High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Stout for Human Development and Family Studies
• Jennifer N. Sjoquist - Hortonville High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
• Matthew Van Wychen - Freedom High School, planning to attend University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
Capital's Scholarship Program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Capital members living in Outagamie, Calumet, Winnebago, or Brown counties planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution. Winners were selected by a scholarship committee comprised of Capital employees and a Capital board member using a system that rates community involvement, leadership and scholastic achievement.
A strong supporter of education, Capital Credit Union is actively involved in promoting financial literacy and presenting programs in partnership with local school districts at the elementary and high school level. Alan Zierler, Capital's President and CEO is a firm believer in the benefits of education.
"Whether it's a two or four-year college, a strong education is an investment in the future," Zierler said. "It gives students a definite advantage as they enter the workforce and increases their chances of financial success," Zierler said.
Capital Credit Union Hosts Blood Drive in July: The public is welcome and encouraged to donate during a blood drive for the Community Blood Center on Wednesday, July 14, 8-11 a.m. at Capital's 1010 Prospect St. office in Kimberly.
Kimberly, WI — Donating blood through the Community Blood Center helps boost the local blood supply. Anyone age 17 or older (16 with parental consent) interested in donating during the Blood Drive at Capital Credit Union can make an appointment by calling (920) 731-3195. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Donating blood is a safe, simple process. In addition to the age limit, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, and bring a photo ID. Donors are encouraged to eat a regular meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. The donation process takes approximately 45 minutes, including screening, actual blood donation, and a brief post-donation recovery time.
Patients need blood transfusions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no substitute for human blood. By donation to the Community Blood Center blood donors help save lives right here in Wisconsin!
Headquartered in Kimberly, Wisconsin, Capital Credit Union (www.capitalcu.com) has assets of more than
$381 million and serves more than 32,000 members with 12 offices located throughout the greater Fox Valley area, Greenville, Oshkosh and Freedom. Capital was rated among the top 10 percent of all U.S. credit unions in 2010, receiving a 5-Star Superior rating for their safety and soundness by BauerFinancial, Inc. Post-Crescent readers also voted Capital a 2010 Finalist for Best of the Valley Best Credit Union