Fremont, MI - Credit unions are different from other financial institutions in many important ways.� Members own the credit union, credit unions are not-for-profit and they live by the philosophy of "People Helping People."� Across the country they are committed to their communities, offering financial services to underserved populations, engaging youth in financial education, and returning profits to their members.
Credit unions serve their communities to strengthen the connection with members and improve the quality of life for those in need of financial services.
In early September, a group of volunteers from Gerber Federal Credit Union and the Fremont Rotary Club along with family and friends got together to help a Gerber FCU member in need.
The member, Robert Cooley, had been working with one of Gerber FCUs Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors, Char Morris, to obtain a grant from the State of Michigans Step Forward Michigan program administered by MSHDA. �Char assisted Mr. Cooley with the application process and was his main liaison with MSHDA.
Mr. Cooleys only source of income is Social Security Disability.� When Char began working with him, his Mortgage payment consumed all but $30.00 of his benefit check.� Mr. Cooley does not have a phone in the home nor does he have reliable transportation.� Char made numerous trips to his home to deliver documents, gather information and obtain signatures during the application process. �Chars concern about the safety of Mr. Cooleys entrance grew with each visit.� The decks attached to the entrances of the home were extremely worn and unsafe.� �Char made a few phone calls in an attempt to find funding to repair the decaying platforms.� Countless hours were spent trying to find an agency that had funding for this set of circumstances.
After a few weeks, the Holton United Methodist Church gave hope with the promise to fund a portion of the project.� The United Way of the Lakeshore stepped up to provide the remaining funds and Mr. Cooleys repair project was set to become a reality.� Char began a search for volunteers with building experience to perform the labor.� She was led to Chuck Whitman, a member of the Fremont Rotary Club, who is an avid volunteer for other ramp building projects.� Mr. Whitman took this project to his Rotary Club meeting and was able to gather a few volunteers.� Char also acquired volunteers from Gerber FCU.
As a result of Chars efforts, Mr. Cooley was approved for a grant of $30,000 under the Modification Program to pay down his mortgage.� This allowed Gerber FCU to modify the mortgage and bring his payment down to less than 45% of his income.
In mid-September the group of volunteers gathered at the home of Mr. Cooley and began to demolish the dangerous steps and unstable landing that had been acting as the main entrance to the home.� The groups also managed to repair a second set of steps to create a temporary safe egress in and out of the home during the construction project. ��John P. Buckley Jr., President/ CEO of Gerber FCU and one of Mr. Whitmans fellow Rotarians brought pizza for all of the workers.�� Everyone worked together and finished the demolition in less than an hour.� Finally, it was time to construct the new deck.� Another group of Gerber FCU, Rotary Club and United Way volunteers returned two days later and constructed a new deck in just over 4.5 hours!
"I am so pleased that we were able to do this" said John P. Buckley Jr., President/CEO of Gerber Federal Credit Union.� "We were we able to assist a member in need and our volunteers feel honored to be part of the project that truly improved the well-being of our member."
"It is hard to find the words to say how grateful I am to the agencies who put up the money and how surprised I am that so many people cared enough to come together to help, " said Mr. Cooley.� "Thank you so much Gerber FCU, Holton United Methodist Church, United Way of the Lakeshore and Fremont Rotary."
This project was a solid reminder of the credit union mission "People helping people."� This means that credit unions think first about their members and the communities they serve by: offering financial services to all consumers, even those that dont often use traditional banking; teaching youth about financial literacy; volunteering their time to local charities; and providing loans at competitively low interest rates.� Not only do we believe in this mission, we live by it!
Fremont, MI - Credit unions are different from other financial institutions in many important ways.� Members own the credit union, credit unions are not-for-profit and they live by the philosophy of "People Helping People."� Across the country they are committed to their communities, offering financial services to underserved populations, engaging youth in financial education, and returning profits to their members.
Credit unions serve their communities to strengthen the connection with members and improve the quality of life for those in need of financial services.
In early September, a group of volunteers from Gerber Federal Credit Union and the Fremont Rotary Club along with family and friends got together to help a Gerber FCU member in need.
The member, Robert Cooley, had been working with one of Gerber FCUs Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors, Char Morris, to obtain a grant from the State of Michigans Step Forward Michigan program administered by MSHDA. �Char assisted Mr. Cooley with the application process and was his main liaison with MSHDA.
Mr. Cooleys only source of income is Social Security Disability.� When Char began working with him, his Mortgage payment consumed all but $30.00 of his benefit check.� Mr. Cooley does not have a phone in the home nor does he have reliable transportation.� Char made numerous trips to his home to deliver documents, gather information and obtain signatures during the application process. �Chars concern about the safety of Mr. Cooleys entrance grew with each visit.� The decks attached to the entrances of the home were extremely worn and unsafe.� �Char made a few phone calls in an attempt to find funding to repair the decaying platforms.� Countless hours were spent trying to find an agency that had funding for this set of circumstances.
After a few weeks, the Holton United Methodist Church gave hope with the promise to fund a portion of the project.� The United Way of the Lakeshore stepped up to provide the remaining funds and Mr. Cooleys repair project was set to become a reality.� Char began a search for volunteers with building experience to perform the labor.� She was led to Chuck Whitman, a member of the Fremont Rotary Club, who is an avid volunteer for other ramp building projects.� Mr. Whitman took this project to his Rotary Club meeting and was able to gather a few volunteers.� Char also acquired volunteers from Gerber FCU.
As a result of Chars efforts, Mr. Cooley was approved for a grant of $30,000 under the Modification Program to pay down his mortgage.� This allowed Gerber FCU to modify the mortgage and bring his payment down to less than 45% of his income.
In mid-September the group of volunteers gathered at the home of Mr. Cooley and began to demolish the dangerous steps and unstable landing that had been acting as the main entrance to the home.� The groups also managed to repair a second set of steps to create a temporary safe egress in and out of the home during the construction project. ��John P. Buckley Jr., President/ CEO of Gerber FCU and one of Mr. Whitmans fellow Rotarians brought pizza for all of the workers.�� Everyone worked together and finished the demolition in less than an hour.� Finally, it was time to construct the new deck.� Another group of Gerber FCU, Rotary Club and United Way volunteers returned two days later and constructed a new deck in just over 4.5 hours!
"I am so pleased that we were able to do this" said John P. Buckley Jr., President/CEO of Gerber Federal Credit Union.� "We were we able to assist a member in need and our volunteers feel honored to be part of the project that truly improved the well-being of our member."
"It is hard to find the words to say how grateful I am to the agencies who put up the money and how surprised I am that so many people cared enough to come together to help, " said Mr. Cooley.� "Thank you so much Gerber FCU, Holton United Methodist Church, United Way of the Lakeshore and Fremont Rotary."
This project was a solid reminder of the credit union mission "People helping people."� This means that credit unions think first about their members and the communities they serve by: offering financial services to all consumers, even those that dont often use traditional banking; teaching youth about financial literacy; volunteering their time to local charities; and providing loans at competitively low interest rates.� Not only do we believe in this mission, we live by it!