How Marine Credit Union Strengthened Communities in 2025

A Year of Giving: How Marine Credit Union Strengthened the Communities We Serve

In communities across the country, people, partnerships, and acts of generosity carry neighbors through challenging times and help families move toward brighter futures. At Marine Credit Union, this spirit of community is at the center of everything we do.

In 2025, our commitment to being a trusted community partner came to life in meaningful ways through thousands of volunteer hours, financial education, philanthropy, and hands-on partnerships. This was a year defined by giving and genuine connection.

Giving That Reflects Who We Are

MCU’s history is rooted in the belief that people thrive when they support one another. Nearly 100 years later, that belief still shapes who we are. We’ve even named ‘Community’ as one of our strategic pillars, elevating our responsibility as an essential community partner.

We don’t measure our efforts to give back by the number of checks written or volunteer hours logged. Instead, we strive to contribute in ways that help people take steps toward real financial confidence and long-lasting stability.

Our giving philosophy fueled more than 2,000 hours of volunteerism, 124 financial education sessions, and $253,000 in community giving this year. These numbers are meaningful, but the stories behind them are what truly define our impact.

The Human Side of Community Impact

Across our markets, MCU’s Community Leads serve as ambassadors for financial confidence and connection. Their work brings our mission to life in ways that are both practical and personal.

In Racine, Community Lead Aaron McCollum helped a Vietnam veteran access long-overdue benefits. That support transformed his financial stability almost overnight. “It’s a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we walk alongside people with care and purpose,” Aaron said.

In Eau Claire, Community Lead Marie Jacobsen spent the year “shedding the shame of financial conversations” by guiding individuals through financial repair and helping families rebuild trust. One mother, overwhelmed by the consequences of unknowingly harming her daughter’s credit, found a path forward through compassion and education.

In La Crosse, Community Lead Maria Horn partnered with recovery centers and correctional programs to equip people seeking second chances with financial tools that foster stability, safety, and confidence. Sometimes the work was about budgets or credit rebuilding, but often, it was about moving forward with hope.

These stories show us that giving is most powerful when it’s personal.

Volunteerism: Nurturing a Caring Culture

Service isn’t something MCU employees do just once a year. It’s part of who we are every day. We create structured and consistent opportunities for our employees to serve in ways aligned with their values and their communities’ needs.

This year, MCU teams showed up everywhere:

• Building beds for children alongside Brewers All-Star Freddy Peralta in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
• Supporting food banks across our footprint as benefits stalled and the demand for meals surged.
• Leading financial education workshops for students, veterans, job seekers, and families seeking stability.
• Volunteering at food banks, shelters, housing programs, and community centers.

Each hour, conversation, and act of kindness contributed to the future we envision, where people are empowered to move from financial need to financial freedom.

Financial Education: Create Lasting Empowerment

Education can be one of the most impactful forms of giving. In 2025, MCU delivered 124 financial education sessions in classrooms, community centers, shelters, universities, and our financial empowerment centers.

And rather than giving presentations, we’re facilitating conversations. We want to create moments where the shame of past mistakes dissolves, possibilities take shape, and members find a clear path forward. Our focus on financial education, confidence, and resilience ensures individuals and families receive the knowledge and the tools they need to thrive for years to come.

Partnerships: Joining Forces to Strengthen Communities

Our impact is amplified through partnerships with organizations that share our values. In 2025, we collaborated with organizations like:

• Feed My People Food Bank
• United Way
• John D. Mason Veteran Peer Support Group
• Local shelters and housing programs
• Junior Achievement and schools across our markets

These partners help us better understand the needs in our communities and respond more effectively so that we can deliver targeted community engagement. Together, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities.

Marine Credit Union: Advancing Lives in 2026 and Beyond

The generosity we witnessed in 2025 is the beginning of a bigger story. In 2026 and beyond, we’re expanding our commitment to community impact through:

• Deeper community partnerships
• More volunteer opportunities
• Expanded access to financial education
• Strengthened youth programming
• Enhanced support for underserved members

Our mission to advance lives is strengthening our communities and making financial well-being possible for all. The passion and purpose our employees bring to work every day mean that mission continues to grow—one member, one family, and one act of giving at a time.