Credit Unions Unite to Fund Exhibit at Soo Locks Children’s Museum
Credit Unions across the Eastern Upper Peninsula have joined forces to make a lasting impact on local families by funding the Credit Union Exhibit at the Soo Locks Children’s Museum. Soo Co-op Credit Union, U.P. State Credit Union, Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, Detour Drummond Community Credit Union, 4Front Credit Union, and Limestone Financial Credit Union have partnered to bring this exciting, educational feature to life.
The Soo Locks Children’s Museum has been working tirelessly to create a much-needed space for families in the community—and the progress is truly remarkable. More than just a building, the museum represents an investment in the youth, families, and future of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.
“The EUP, with its beauty and history, is also rural and remote, with very few indoor entertainment options. The nearest children’s museum is three hours away, leaving many families—especially the one in five who are underserved—without affordable, safe, and engaging places to go,” said Darcy McLean, President of U.P. State Credit Union. “The Soo Locks Children’s Museum will fill that gap.”
Once completed, the museum will serve as a safe, welcoming, and affordable destination where children and adults can learn together year-round. Beyond education and family engagement, it will also help boost the local economy by attracting visitors and enhancing the region’s quality of life.
The Credit Union Exhibit will give children the opportunity to explore the world of money management and understand how credit unions work. Through interactive play and hands-on learning, young visitors will discover the value of saving, budgeting, and making smart financial choices. In addition, financial education opportunities will be offered for both children and adults, furthering the credit unions’ shared mission to promote lifelong financial well-being in the community.
“This project is a powerful example of the cooperative spirit that defines credit unions,” said Lynda Ellis, President and CEO of Soo Co-op Credit Union. “By working together, we can make a meaningful and lasting difference for the families we serve.”
The Soo Locks Children’s Museum has been more than a decade in the making. For the past 10 years, a dedicated group of community members has been raising funds, designing exhibits, rallying support, and renovating the downtown space—just one block from the historic Soo Locks. The museum is envisioned as an educational resource where kids can learn about one of the most significant engineering landmarks in the Upper Peninsula and the science behind how the locks work. “We’re proud to partner with the Children’s Museum to help create a place where every child can learn through play, dream without limits, and build a lifelong love of discovery.” – Sheena Andrzejak, Regional Branch Manager of 4Front Credit Union
While construction is still underway, the museum’s progress is evident. To date, 15 exhibits are in place, including a wall-sized Great Lakes display showcasing shipwrecks, navigation maps, and exhibits on invasive and native fish species. These interactive and educational displays promise to inspire curiosity and excitement among visitors of all ages.
The Credit Union Exhibit will join this growing list of attractions, reinforcing the mission of both the museum and local credit unions: empowering the next generation through learning, community, and cooperation.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Raquel Fernandez-Earns at raquele@slcmkids.org or visit the museum’s website at www.slcmkids.org.
Soo Co-op Credit Union Named Business of the Year by Sault Area Chamber of Commerce
We are incredibly honored to share that Soo Co-op Credit Union has been named Business of the Year at the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet!
This recognition is more than just an award—it’s a celebration of our continued dedication to serving our members and supporting the communities we call home. At SCCU, we believe that being a financial institution means more than providing checking accounts, loans, and credit cards. It means investing in people, empowering local initiatives, and creating opportunities for growth and connection.
We’re proud to stand alongside so many amazing local businesses and organizations that make the EUP such a special place. Thank you to the Chamber for this honor, and to our members, staff, and community partners for your continued trust and support.
Here’s to building an even brighter future—together!
Honoring Legacy Through Leadership: Our First Dan Hewitt Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Soo Co-op Credit Union is proud to introduce the inaugural recipient of the Dan Hewitt Memorial Scholarship — Jarret Crimin!
This scholarship was established to honor the enduring legacy of Mr. Dan Hewitt, former President and CEO of SCCU, who retired in 2006. Dan was more than a leader in the credit union movement — he was a dedicated community volunteer, admired for his unwavering kindness, integrity, and support for others.
Each year, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Sault Area High School and Career Center who plans to attend Lake Superior State University and has successfully completed a Career and Technical Education (CTE) business course.
Jarret, your achievements and dedication reflect the very qualities this scholarship was created to celebrate. We’re confident you’ll carry Dan’s spirit of leadership and service into your future at LSSU and beyond.
Soo Co-op Credit Union Partners to Provide Financial Literacy Education to High School Students
Soo Co-op Credit Union is excited to announce a collaborative effort with U.P. State Credit Union, Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, and DeTour Drummond Community Credit Union to bring financial literacy education to high school students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula this upcoming school year. Together, these credit unions will host free Financial Reality Fairs at schools across the region.
The featured program, the Bite of Reality Fair, is an interactive, app-based simulation designed to engage teens while teaching them essential financial skills. Through this hands-on experience, students learn how to manage their personal finances and make informed financial decisions.
During the fair, students have the opportunity to select an occupation, determine a salary, and account for various financial factors such as credit score, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. They then visit different table-top stations to purchase necessities like housing, transportation, food, and clothing, mirroring real-life financial decision-making. Fortunately, they can turn to a "credit union" station for guidance and support as they navigate their financial challenges.
Educators who have participated in the Bite of Reality Fair have praised its impact. One educator shared, “The students came away from the program with a much greater understanding of a real person’s salary and how they would have to allocate their income for expenses to live independently.”
This engaging program equips teens with a deeper understanding of the challenges of budgeting, offering them a valuable preview of the financial realities they will face as adults. Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “By coming together, we can offer this free service to more schools and students. Financial literacy is vital for students when entering the real world, and these fairs give kids a taste of what balancing their finances will be like."
Through this partnership,
Soo Co-op Credit Union and its fellow credit unions are ensuring that more students across the Eastern Upper Peninsula have access to this invaluable educational experience.
For more information about the Financial Reality Fair or to host one at your school, please contact Mary Lynch of Soo Co-op Credit Union at mlynch@soocoop.com or Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union at ocerre@upscu.com.
Making a difference together
At Soo Co-op Credit Union, our commitment to the community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s providing dedicated service to our members or actively supporting the neighborhoods we call home, we aim to make a positive impact in every way we can. One initiative that perfectly captures this spirit is our Dress-Down Fridays.
Every Friday, our team members swap their regular work attire for blue jeans—a small change with a big impact. In exchange for the opportunity to dress casually, our employees make a modest donation. These contributions are then pooled to support local organizations and individuals in need within our community.
Nick Gerrish Scholarship awarded
Soo Co-op Credit Union recently awarded four scholarships
to help student member-owners meet higher education goals through the Nick Gerrish Scholarship Program. The three recipients of the $2,500 scholarships are Denvy McCord, Delaney Stec, and Sydney Hubbard. The Bay Mills Community College Scholarship was awarded to Desiree Bumstead in the amount of $1,500.
Over $271,000 has been awarded to CU members since 1986 through the NGS program.
Applications for the Nick Gerrish Scholarship for the 2026/2027 school year will be available in January 2026.
Giving back - COMMUNITY-WIDE cleanup
This past Juneteenth, Soo Co-op Credit Union led volunteers across Chippewa County in our third annual community impact clean-up day.
Volunteer employees and community members joined in clean-up efforts in the downtown areas of every Soo Co-op branch location.
The cleaning was divided into several phases in each area: garbage pickup, sidewalk sweeping, community gardens and flowerbeds, gravestones, and painting dugouts at the Sault ballfields.
Money smart Week at Bayliss Library
Penny Penguin and SCCU employees shared stories, information, and giveaways for money smart week at Bayliss Library in April. Employees read money-themed stories to the community, such as Owl + Otter and the Big Yard Sale, and SAVE IT! Families also received a copy of the book to keep after.
This year, Money Smart Week was observed from April 15 to 21. The week is celebrated every year in April to empower people with the knowledge and skills needed to make well-informed personal finance choices.
If you missed us last year, make sure to join us this year on April 18th and 30th!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
In July, we spread a little mid-year cheer by celebrating Christmas in July—paying it forward with festive spirit and random acts of kindness!
See What We're Up To Here
Highway Cleanup
SCCU Employees volunteer their time to help clean up and beautify their community! Volunteers cover a two-mile stretch of both sides of the road in downtown Sault Ste Marie through the Adopt-A-Highway program. Adopt-A-Highway is a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program designed to help keep the state's highway roadsides clean and attractive. Our team volunteers in the spring, summer, and fall to help keep our roadsides litter-free. We love being a part of keeping our community clean!
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