MSGCU Awards $70,000 to Local Elementary School Libraries

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – March 9, 2022 – Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) is donating $70,000 to nearly 100 local elementary school libraries to support the purchase of essential books, including books to support youth education of diversity and inclusion.

The $750 grants will allow school libraries, within the communities of MSGCU branch offices, to purchase books above and beyond their general budget. Libraries provide an environment which engages young minds and self-directed learning. With a heritage rooted in education, MSGCU understands that reading is foundational to all learning. They are committed to assisting educators in their work to close learning gaps as students grasp phonics, comprehension, and begin to explore and appreciate our diverse world.

“We received a number of requests to provide books for school libraries through our Classroom Cash Grants program in the fall of 2021,” said Ann Jones, MSGCU Vice President, Marketing and Business Development. “It was clear there was a need for books in our school libraries. We’re proud to extend these funds to the libraries who requested grants during our Classroom Cash Grants program and to many other local elementary libraries. We are pleased this donation will help school libraries stock low inventories due to unreturned books during COVID-19. The grants will also help to build collections of much-requested content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”

“All books received for L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Media Centers are purchased with money raised through fundraisers or donations. The $750 grant from MSGCU will allow our elementary school to provide relevant books that students can make a connection with,” said Tressa DeVoogd, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Media Clerk. “Many of our students come from different backgrounds and purchasing new books may not be possible for them. Supplying a diverse book selection in our school library will keep our students engaged and reading. Our students are on fire for reading. The flame is lit, and I want to fuel those flames as best I can. This grant will allow our school to successfully do that.”

MSGCU hopes the books purchased from these library grants will be checked out and enjoyed in homes of families and classrooms of teachers for years to come.

In addition to this year’s library grants, MSGCU awards $45,000 in Classroom Cash Grants yearly to educators in the metro Detroit area to support innovative classroom projects. The Classroom Cash Grants program, which runs in the fall of each year, is open to educators within MSGCU’s field of membership. To learn more about Classroom Cash Grants, visit classroomcash.org.

For more information about MSGCU’s community initiatives, visit msgcu.org/giving-back.

About Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union

Founded by a small group of educators, MSGCU has been providing quality financial services to the community for more than 66 years and welcomes everyone in Michigan to bank with them. MSGCU offers a full range of loan, deposit, checking, credit card, mortgage, and insurance products for those that live in Michigan. With 17 branch offices in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, MSGCU has more than 135,000 members, $3 billion in assets, and has earned a 96% member satisfaction rating for two decades. MSGCU has also earned five stars, as reported by Bauer Financial, for more than 30 years, and has been honored as a Top Workplace by The Detroit Free Press for the past eight consecutive years. MSGCU is insured by NCUA and an equal housing lender.

For more information contact Noelle Tanner, Marketing Communications Specialist at ntanner@msgcu.org and (586) 263-8800 ext. 241.