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.
South Beloit Public Library - Youth Financial Literacy Visit
Julia Berglund volunteered her time as a guest reader at South Beloit Public Library this week! They read children’s books on money management and made our their own piggy banks. Our guests receieved Cornerstone goody bags and Youth Month Coupon slips to bring home after a fun day.
Women of Achievement
CCU's very own Melissa Rippy and Barb Ainsworth attended the Women of Achievement luncheon in Sterling. Barb came out as the evening winner with 4 Cubs tickets in the Catalina Suite for a raffle!
Randy Church Recognition
In recognition of Randy’s six years of dedicated service and selfless contributions to the Cornerstone Credit Union, the Board of Directors honors you upon your retirement as a Credit Union Director.
We thank you for your tenure as a Credit Union Board of Director 2013 – 2024, serving as Supervisory Committee Chair 2022 – 2024, Supervisory Committee Member 2018 - 2024, Facilities Committee 2019 - 2021, two years on Scholarship Committee, and One on ALIM Committee.
Pictured: Amy Skow, Randy Church and Jim Coons
2024 Annual Meeting
Meeting held at Freeport Brand on 3/16/2024.
Stateline Boys & Girls Club Donation
On behalf of Cornerstone’s Community Relations Committee, South Beloit Branch Manager, Melodie Cruz, and Human Resource Manager, Juli Johnson, were happy to present a $2,500 donation check to @Stateline Boys and Girls Club’s (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. https://statelinebgc.org
Stateline Chamber Awards Gala
Melodie and Abi were proud to represent Cornerstone Credit Union as the dessert sponsor at the Stateline Chamber Awards Gala this year.
Family Promise of Beloit Donations
CCU's staff and members were able to respond to a need of one of our non-profit sponsors, Family Promise of Beloit. Our team was happy to help supply the diapers and bathroom supplies needed! A big thank you to Melodie and Lupita for representing the Cornerstone Team.
Stateline Boys and Girls Club - Champion of Youth Award
South Beloit Branch Manager, Mel Cruz was awarded the Champion of Youth Award for her passion, hard work and dedication while serving on the Board of Stateline Boys and Girls Club.
Christmas Sights & Sounds
Jami Castaneda was the winner of Christmas Sights & Sounds drawing. She won a gift certificate from Golden Key. Congratulations!
Sterling Christmas Walk
CCU Sterling Branch participated in Santa's Workshop at the downtown Christmas Walk on December 1, 2023. Our Christmas Elves helped children color ornaments and everyone got to take home a goody bag.
Nature of Confluence - Annual Tree Lighting Event
CCU South Beloit Branch had the opportunity to sponsor Nature of Confluence - Annual Tree Lighting" Event. Thank you South Beloit Branch for helping brighten up the Holidays!
Salvation Army Angel Tree 2023
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!
Meals and Wheels of Beloit
Cornerstone Credit Union's Employees Paul H and Julia B presented a check to Meals and Wheels of Beloit.
Pictured: "D", Volunteer Coordinator, Ellen Weigand, Executive Director and Amy Mumm, Program Manager.
9th Annual WREX Food Drive.
Cornerstone CU had the opportunity to host the 9th annual Freeport Food Drive. Thank you to WREX and the FACC for letting us open our Branch to the community to pack our facility with non-perishable food items. The amount of items donated was overwhelming and big shout out to Freeport for making it happen.
Family Promise of Greater Beloit
Cornerstone Credit Union's South Beloit Branch Manager, Mel Cruz was able to present a check to Family Promise of Greater Beloit's President, Beth Gliebe.
Free Community Shred Day 2023 - Freeport Branch
Cornerstone Credit Union was once again proud to sponsor our community Shred Day. Thanks to everyone who came out to properly dispose of valuable papers and to our CCU volunteers: Juli Johnson, Jennifer Barklow, Jason Barklow, Gail CLore, Tana Reed and Riley Austin.
Influential Women in Business Luncheon
CCU South Beloit Branch Manager Melodie Cruz and Sterling Branch Manager Melissa Ripley were happy to be among those in attendance at the 2023 Greater Beloit & Stateline Chambers’ Influential Women in Business Luncheon at the Eclipse Center in Beloit on Thursday, Sept 21. Cornerstone is proud to be a member of both of these chambers. Celebrating women’s achievements, this year’s Keynote speaker Jennifer Kingston from Edwards Jones gave a motivating presentation on leadership and the word “sonder.” Cornerstone congratulates this year’s influential award winners!!
Stateline Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
Cornerstone Credit Union was proud to be a hole sponsor at the 2023 Golf Play Day “Hawaiian Style” for the Stateline Chamber of Commerce on Sept 14th. One lucky participant was the winner of our game “Hula Hoop for a Pizza Dinner Basket” and 2 more winners received Starbucks Gift Cards for guessing how many “tees” were in a jar. Congrats to the winners!
Pictured: So Beloit Branch Mgr Mel Cruz with MSR Abi Vivas.
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.