At Cornerstone Credit Union, we are committed to supporting programs and not-for-profit organizations that make a positive impact in the communities we serve. Since 1999, the employees of CCU have invested over $112,778 through The United Way Workplace Campaign, helping to fund Partner Agencies and programming in Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. In addition to what we do corporately, CCU has a dedicated Community Relations Committee, CRC, made up of staff volunteers. Please see below (not inclusive) for a list of activities we proudly support.
Taste of Fiesta 2023
We had a great turnout for Taste of Fiesta this weekend with 131 registrations for our tailgate gift giveaway! Had a blast playing ring toss and carnival bag toss with the kids and talking with our visitors about Cornerstone. Thanks for stopping by our booth from our Sterling Staff (photo right side): Micah Arneson, Iridian Hernandez, Melissa Rippy, Bard Ainsworth, Alma Zaragoza.
Stateline Boys & Girls Club Summer Carnival
The Stateline Boys & Girls Club Summer Carnival was a big hit. There was a lot of fun, food and prizes for all! Cornerstone Credit Union was a proud sponsor of the event and donated ~200 cans of food to the Caritas Food Pantry in Beloit. Pictured in bottom photo is Chelsea Hall with B&GC, CEO Mark Rand, CCU MSR Abi Vivas and children who are members of the Club.
Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Ribfest Gift Card Winner
Nicole Maukstead received a $25 gift card to Pinnon Meats from Member Service Representative Paul Harris, for being the raffle winner at the Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Ribfest. The annual rib grilling competition features grill masters from area fire departments who vie for the ultimate rib trophy. Approximately $5,000 is raised for the kids with funds going to scholarships for students at South Beloit and Hononegah high schools and also to purchase books for area schools. Cornerstone Credit Union's donation helped to provide two scholarships to area seniors and award-wining books to local libraries and high schools.
National Night Out
National Night Out - August 1, 2023
CCU President Gail Clore and the South Beloit branch team volunteered to serve the community an array of food, including hot dogs, brats, sides and drinks. Gail was also happy to donate $1,000 to the cause, in honor of the men and women who dedicate their time serving the community through police and fire protection. Raffle prizes were also handed out to add to the smiles this night!
Pictured top: left is Officer Bryan Ramirez, middle is Chief Adam Truman and on the right is Sargent James Sanders with Gail presenting the check, joined by South Beloit Branch manager Mel Cruz and Member Service Representative Abi Vivas. Bottom left: Gail, Mel and Abi join Member Service Representative Julia Berglund to enjoy some food.
Nature at the Confluence event
Thank you to all who attended the first Community Fire in May at Nature at the Confluence, partly sponsored by Cornerstone Credit Union. This helps make the event free for the community and our guest drum circle leader Jahmes! Check out the Nature at the Confluence and learn about all of the wonderful programs they have: https://natureattheconfluence.com/ It's right in your backyard! Pictured left to right is CCU MSR Paul Harris, Nature at the Confluence Executive Director Julie Uram and CCU MSR Julia Berglund.
Congratulations to our 2023 Founders' Scholarship Recipients!
Cornerstone Credit Union proudly announces the recipients of its 2023 Founders’ Scholarships. Each deserving winner receives a $1,500 award as they embark on the next chapter of their educational journey. Best wishes for a successful future: Kristina Bondele - Forreston High School; Nicolas Sigler - Washington High School; Natalie Yeoman - Freeport High School. Owen Greenfied - Forreston High School and Rylee Johnson - Rock Falls High School.
South Beloit Kids Bid Read Fun for All
Cornerstone Credit Union Branch Manager Melodie Cruz (middle) and Customer Financial Representative Julia Berglund (right) were guest readers April 20 for preschool storytime at the South Beloit Public Library. Attendees went home with a free book and goody bag from CCU and a bank of their own crafting.
CCU donates to Stateline Boys and Girls Club
On behalf of Cornerstone’s Community Relations Committee, South Beloit Branch Manager Melodie Cruz presented a $2,500 donation check to Stateline Boys and Girls Club (SBGC) CEO Mark Rand. The SBGC is a valued community partner making a difference in the Stateline area, providing programs to help local youth develop into confident, capable, responsible adults. The SBGC has 2 locations in the Stateline area. (Joel Barrett Campus, in Beloit, WI and Bruce Nichols Campus, in South Beloit, IL). https://statelinebgc.org/
2022 Annual Meeting Wrap-up
Cornerstone Credit Union held its 2022 Annual Meeting on March 18, 2023 at its Freeport branch. The members in attendance received a special gift, plus several lucky winners won prizes, including an Amazon Fire Smart TV, gift cards, flowers and more. Thank you for coming!
Salvation Army Angel Tree 2022
Thank you to our members and staff for helping to fulfill the wishes of local children during this Christmas season. Every tag on our Salvation Army Angel Tree was realized, allowing children in need to experience the joy of a gift on Christmas morning. Happy Holidays to all!
Pictured staff include from left to right, front row: Lisa Miller, Riley Willson, Kim Terviel, Julie Smith; back row:Karla Heinz, Cindy Howarth, Jim Coons, Tana Reed, Brittany Roach, Laura Cook.
2022 WREX Food Drive a Huge Success
The rain did not dampen the awesome spirit of giving in Freeport last Friday, November 4th, for the 8th annual WREX FREEPORT FOOD DRIVE. We had another record year of donations, with a huge amount of food and toiletries collected along with over $3400 in monetary donations, including $1500 from Cornerstone Credit Union. The need is great in the Freeport community. Freeport Area Church Cooperative will distribute them to help as many as possible. THANK YOU to all who donated!
CU Kind Day was a Huge Success on October 10th!
This graphic displays the impact that credit unions throughout IL made in our communities. Thank you to everyone who participated in spreading kindness and demonstrating the CU difference! Our post from 10.10.22 (above) shows our donation to Family Promise of Greater Beloit with a check for $615.
Influential Women in Business Luncheon Sponsor
CCU S Beloit Branch Manager Melodie Cruz and CCU Marketing Director Lorna Cote had a great time at the Greater Beloit & Stateline Chambers’ Influential Women in Business Luncheon at the Eclipse Center in Beloit on Wed, Sept. 21. As a member of both chambers, Cornerstone was proud to be a sponsor of this wonderful annual event that celebrates women’s achievements. Keynote speaker Tracie A Burress gave an inspirational presentation about how to get “Connected to You”, and awards to local businesswomen were presented.
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Free Community Shred Day at our Freeport Branch
Saturday 9/10 was a perfect day for our annual Community Shred Day in Freeport! Thanks to all who took advantage of this free service to help prevent identity theft. We appreciate our CCU volunteers: Riley, Melody, Jason & Jennifer (our traffic directors), Julie, Kayla, Karla, Juli, Lorna and Reed; and a big shout out to our friend Dennis Horton and the Better Business Bureau for co-sponsoring this event and volunteering as well!
Taste of Fiesta - A Great Celebration in Sterling-Rock Falls
What a wonderful day for a Fiesta! CCU Sterling branch staff had a good time greeting folks at the Taste of Fiesta event in Rock Falls Saturday, 9/10. Along with colorful dancers, delicious food and other exhibits, visitors enjoyed trying their luck at the Cactus Ring Toss and entering to win a gift certificate to La Laguna Restaurant, while learning all about the benefits of CCU membership. Thanks to all who stopped by our table. Pictured are our terrific CCU Sterling staff volunteers Melissa, Iridian (& daughter Aalyiah), and Alma.
Annual S Beloit Firefighters Corn Boil Fundraiser
Look who volunteered at the annual S Beloit Firefighters Corn Boil on Saturday, Aug 27th at Viking Lanes, right down the road from our CCU S Beloit branch location! Our own CCU South Beloit Branch Manager Melodie Cruz and CCU HR Manager Julianne Johnson were serving up some good eats at this family fun community event. CCU is proud to be a sponsor of this local fundraiser.
Rockton River Market Gift Certificate Winner
Congratulations to Anna Pipitone of Durand, winner of a $25 gift certificate from Prairie Hill Meats in South Beloit. Anna stopped by our sponsor table at the Rockton River Market on August 3rd. Thanks again to all who entered our drawing.
https://m.facebook.com/rocktonrivermarket/
Sponsoring the Rockton River Market
The rain gave way to a beautiful sunny evening at Settlers Park for the Rockton River Market, Wed., August 3, 2022. Proud to sponsor this wonderful community event, Cornerstone welcomed attendees at our sponsor table, as they enjoyed great music from Bree Morgan. Thanks to Tricia from the Village of Rockton for hosting us. Pictured are Mel Cruz, CCU S Beloit Branch Manager, and Lorna Cote, CCU Marketing Director. It was fun greeting other local vendors including our friends at the Dairy Haus! Be sure to visit this event every Wednesday evening through August 31st.
https://m.facebook.com/rocktonrivermarket/
Rotary Ribfest Gift Certificate Winner
Congratulations to Tracy Patrick of S Beloit, winner of a Prairie Hill Meats gift certificate! Tracy visited our table and entered to Win at the Rotary Ribfest on July 23rd. She is also a CCU member. Thank you Tracy, and Enjoy! Pictured are Tracy (left) with CCU S Beloit branch manager Melodie Cruz.
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Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Ribfest
We had a great time as a sponsor of the Rotary Ribfest on Saturday, July 23 at Viking Lanes in South Beloit. Cornerstone S Beloit Branch Manager Melodie Cruz, along with her Rotary friends, greeted attendees at this fun community event, with local Fire Departments competing for the best ribs! Over $4,000 was raised by Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Club. Thanks to all who came out and said hello while enjoying some delicious food.
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Family Promise of Greater Beloit Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday evening, June 28, CCU S Beloit Branch manager Melodie Cruz and CCU Marketing Director Lorna Cote attended a ribbon cutting at Family Promise of Greater Beloit’s beautiful new facility on Bluff Street in South Beloit. Family Promise hosted an Open House, celebrating their 20th Anniversary year serving families facing homelessness in the Stateline area. We are proud to be a community partner with this wonderful organization and look forward to continuing our support.
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Pictured above: Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Ribbon cutting by Family Promise with Executive Director Tammie King-Johnson & Beth Gliebe, Family Promise board president and their support staff; (pictured left to right) Melodie Cruz, CCU S Beloit Branch Manager; Tammie-King Johnson, Family Promise Executive Director; and Amanda OKane, Family Promise Shelter Manager.
CCU Supports United Way of NW IL
CCU is a corporate supporter of the United Way of Northwest Illinois. Cornerstone and its employees will contribute nearly $8,500 in 2017 to this organization, which improves the quality of life for many in our community. For more information, visit http://www.uwni.org/
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