2019 IMPACT REPORT LMCU in the Community
A LETTER FROM OUR CEO We’re excited to share our 2019 Community Relations Impact Report with you! One of our greatest joys as a credit union is volunteering and serving the people in our local communities and supporting numerous non-profits with our time, energy, talents and financial gifts. You’ll get a brief snapshot of what we do on the pages that follow. You’ll see that we focus our giving and volunteer work in three key areas: 1. Education; 2. Health and Well-Being; and 3. Housing. These areas form the foundational blocks that are vital to thriving and successful communities. We hope this report helps you learn more about LMCU’s commitment to making a difference and giving back. We extend a big “Thank You!” to our valued members for their own volunteerism and help ensuring LMCU remains in a position to reinvest back in the communities we serve. Also, thank you to our dedicated LMCU staff for making meaningful contributions to help improve the communities where we work and live! Enjoy!
Sandy Jelinski President/CEO Lake Michigan Credit Union
HIGHLIGHTS LMCU’s 2019 Community Impact Report reflects our deep commitment to our communities and summarizes our work and support of a wide variety of organizations:
Year in Review
3
Looking back at LMCU’s impact and community engagement in 2019.
Education
5
Supporting educational initiatives that drive social and economic progress.
Health and Well-Being
7
Connecting to initiatives that promote health, development, and well-being for children and their families.
Housing
9
Championing initiatives that ensure everyone has access to a roof over their head and heart.
Volunteerism
11
Empowering our team members to impact their community through volunteering.
Regional Impact
13-15
Engaging communities in Michigan and Southwest Florida through sponsorship, philanthropy, and local volunteerism.
Looking Ahead
16
Sharing our vision for impact in 2020.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Philanthropically, LMCU invested $689,389 focused in the key areas of education, health and well-being, and housing during 2019. In addition to our financial impact, other highlights included:
YEAR IN REVIEW
2019 at a Glance
• Over 6,000 hours volunteered by LMCU employees.
• One Pencil Project delivered 3,500 bags of classroom supplies to 776 schools, to benefit approximately 70,000 students.
EDUCATION
• 77,050 pounds of documents shredded, dropped off from 1,444 cars during Shred Days.
• Band Together raised over $70,000 for 14 hospitals.
• 2,708 runners, including 235 participants from LMCU, took part in the LMCU Bridge Run.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
• 214 pints of blood donated, helping 642 patients.
HOUSING VOLUNTEERISM REGIONAL IMPACT LOOKING AHEAD
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EDUCATION
YEAR IN REVIEW EDUCATION HEALTH AND WELL-BEING HOUSING
We’re determined to provide every member of our communities with equal opportunities to learn, because we know that investments in education drive economic and social progress.
LOOKING AHEAD
Additionally, we continue to offer our annual Lloyd F. Hutt Scholarship. Over the past 29 years, LMCU has provided $391,500 to 237 high school seniors. In 2019, students entered to win one of 15 $2,000 scholarships by answering an essay question. This year’s question was: “But we’ve always done it that way. Name something you’d change and why.”
REGIONAL IMPACT
Among our many initiatives is the annual One Pencil Project, supporting local classrooms by delivering supplies to teachers. This year, we delivered 3,500 bags of classroom supplies to 776 schools in Michigan and Florida, benefiting approximately 70,000 students.
VOLUNTEERISM
LMCU continues to stay connected to our Grand Rapids Public School District roots through a variety of activities. This year, we partnered with DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids to give local students the opportunity to meet and sing with Metropolitan Opera singer, Ryan “Speedo” Green. Green described how he overcame impossible odds in pursuit of his dreams, leaving an impression on the nearly 100 students that will echo for years to come.
LMCU began as a teacher’s credit union in 1933, and education remains a primary focus of our community engagement. LMCU’s efforts center on supporting current and future teachers, fostering literacy at all ages, and empowering students for post-secondary success.
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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
YEAR IN REVIEW EDUCATION HEALTH AND WELL-BEING HOUSING REGIONAL IMPACT
Our members and employees raised $70,500 during our Band Together campaign, an LMCU initiative supporting local pediatric programs throughout Michigan and Florida. In total, 14 hospitals received donations to benefit their greatest pediatric program need. For example, we banded together with Holland Hospital to establish a mental health care program — providing students who attend Holland Public Schools with access to affordable mental health care.
VOLUNTEERISM
Mary Free Bed Hospital in Michigan. A monthly meal at Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids was provided for those attending support group meetings. And important research addressing neurodegenerative diseases was funded through LMCU’s partnership with the Van Andel Institute. These are just a few of the many ways we contributed to vital programs supporting health and well-being across our various communities.
We’re committed to promoting health, development, and well-being in our communities. Whether it’s through blood drives, financial donations, or volunteering our time and talent.
LOOKING AHEAD
LMCU’s focus on making an impact in health care stretched across all of our regions. In Michigan and Florida, we partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to fund multiple wishes for children facing life threatening illnesses. We continued to support The Wheelchair Adaptive sports programs at
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HOUSING
YEAR IN REVIEW EDUCATION HEALTH AND WELL-BEING HOUSING
to underwrite Fix-It School classes that teach homeowners basic home repair skills. Additionally, LMCU financially supported fair housing practices and programs that provide access and resources to renters and homeowners. We firmly believe that when everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, our entire community thrives.
REGIONAL IMPACT
In 2019, 57 employees spent over 370 hours volunteering across 15 Habitat for Humanity® affiliates in Michigan and Florida. Team members participated in group volunteer efforts, building homes for families in need, participated in homeowner selection, and celebrated with families at the dedication ceremonies.
VOLUNTEERISM
Providing affordable mortgages is an important part of our business and growth. However, we recognize that not everyone has access to a home through traditional means. We’re committed to supporting initiatives that ensure everyone has a roof over their head and their heart. Our partnerships focus on homeowner resources, affordable housing efforts, and creating home stability.
LOOKING AHEAD
Other initiatives included LMCU matching donations made via a coin canister at Gerald R. Ford International Airport to raise funds for Mel Trotter Ministries. We also partnered with Home Repair Services in Kent County
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VOLUNTEERISM
YEAR IN REVIEW EDUCATION
LMCU’s employee volunteer program is known as the LMCU Community Crew. Each year, LMCU offers our employees one paid day off to impact a cause they’re passionate about. Many of our team members volunteer with organizations they are connected to, and over the years, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with many impactful local organizations.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Numerous employees, and even entire departments, contribute far beyond a single day of volunteerism. The Member Direct Processing team gave back 85 hours of service in 2019, including both individual and group volunteerism. According to the team, the most meaningful part was “seeing the difference they’re able to make in people’s lives”.
“ LMCU allows me to volunteer so much, I get to do something I love as part of my job.”
HOUSING
Mellissa Brown, assistant manager at one of our branches, holds a special place in her heart for Habitat for Humanity. Mellissa used to be a single mother, and she felt the financial burden of keeping up a home. Habitat for Humanity stepped in and significantly cut the cost of a new roof. Mellissa was inspired by their act of kindness and began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, doing for others what they had done for her. Mellissa demonstrated her devotion to service by volunteering dozens of hours this year with Habitat for Humanity and other non-profits.
– Mellissa Brown, LMCU Asst. Branch Mgr. VOLUNTEERISM
In 2019, LMCU staff volunteered over 6,000 hours with over 75 nonprofits. Volunteerism is an important part of our culture at LMCU.
REGIONAL IMPACT LOOKING AHEAD
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REGIONAL IMPACT – MICHIGAN
EDUCATION HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
LMCU continues to participate as a sponsor in numerous major community events such as ArtPrize®, Coast Guard Festival, Traverse City Cherry Festival, and Tulip Time. The Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run in Grand Rapids celebrated its highest participation ever with 2,708 runners, including 235 LMCU staff members. We also sponsored a variety of movie showings in local parks that stretched across Southwest Michigan, Southeast Michigan, and Greater Grand Rapids. LMCU’s Annual Night with the Grand Rapids Griffins brought over 1,000 employees and members to the Van Andel Arena in February. LMCU was also excited to present another year of the weekly Lunchtime Live events in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park. In addition, our local branches supported a large number of events with local schools, non-profits, and community organizations.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Michigan Highlights
HOUSING VOLUNTEERISM REGIONAL IMPACT LOOKING AHEAD
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REGIONAL IMPACT – FLORIDA
HOUSING
The Florida team also stayed active through engagement in their local chambers, realtor associations, and numerous local event sponsorships.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
LMCU also volunteered and sponsored numerous events with the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. The team has also connected with the PACE Center for Girls in both Lee and Collier Counties to support their work in offering resources, programming, and academic support for at-risk girls. Lee Health and their Golisano Children’s Hospital have also been important partners for LMCU. LMCU partnered with Lee Health as a sponsor of the Madisen’s Match tennis exhibition and the Healthy Lee event featuring Dr. Deepak Chopra.
EDUCATION
As we entered our fifth year in the sunshine state, we’ve continued to grow our presence and involvement in the region. Our Florida team rallied behind this year’s Southwest Florida Walk for Wishes and raised almost $15,000, enough to nearly cover three wishes. LMCU’s Director of Business Development, Lori Teague, chaired the event, while a number of fellow team members joined as volunteers on the day of the event.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Florida Highlights
VOLUNTEERISM REGIONAL IMPACT LOOKING AHEAD
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LOOKING AHEAD We are a grateful for the work we get to do on behalf of our members and fellow employees. LMCU, as an organization, is firmly committed to giving back to the communities we have the privilege to serve. As we look to 2020, we are excited to continue to connect to the important work being done by the incredible non-profits in our local communities. Our LMCU Community Crew will continue to make an impact throughout all of our regions through volunteerism, philanthropy, and involvement.
The 2019 LMCU Community Relations team, left to right: Kristina, Caroline, Kayla, Alexis, Matt.
YEAR IN REVIEW
EDUCATION
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
HOUSING
VOLUNTEERISM
REGIONAL IMPACT
LOOKING AHEAD
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For more information or to find out how you can make an impact, visit LMCU.org/Community.