Community First Credit Union - Appleton Wisconsin

In April, we celebrate Financial Literacy Month and Financial Capability Month, two critically important awareness campaigns centered around empowering people to make more informed financial decisions. As a credit union, we know firsthand the difference an individual’s financial well-being can have on their life. It’s why we’re committed not only to providing impeccable service to our members, but education that will serve them well throughout their lifelong financial journey. We also recognize the tremendous opportunity we have to share our expertise with the greater community, especially our youth. In addition to kicking off our Spring Reality Check program today which simulates the impact of daily financial decisions to high school seniors from Appleton East, Appleton West, Appleton North, Fox Valley Lutheran High School, and St. Mary Central, our Learning & Development Specialist, Abbie Blood, recently joined classes at Appleton West and East high schools to discuss creating a budget. Specifically, a budget built to accommodate life and its unpredictability. With literacy comes capability, and with capability, well-being. It’s a financial story everyone deserves to tell, and one we want to help make possible. #FinancialLiteracy #MoneyManagement #FinancialWellBeing

After a career filled with example after example of making a difference for individuals and businesses in our community, Tim Hoff, Chief Lending Officer will retire as of May 1, 2025. Tim’s professional journey has been grounded in service to others, and we are grateful for the past 7+ years that he has shared with Community First, our employees, our members and our communities. His life has been spent in financial institutions helping people and businesses find the right solutions to pursue their dreams. Now it’s his turn. We invite you to join us in thanking and congratulating Tim Hoff on a well-deserved new chapter.

As we close out March, we’d like to shine a light on two important national observances related to serving the nutritional needs of our fellow Americans: National Nutrition Month and March for Meals Month. While one highlights the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthful eating habits, the other serves as a reminder that not everyone in our surrounding community has the luxury of choosing what or how often they eat. Currently, 1-in-10 people in Eastern Wisconsin battle food insecurity, significantly disrupting their eating patterns, food intake, and diet variation. Unfortunately, we alone can’t put an end to hunger, but we can do our part to help local families in need. Thanks to the efforts of team members across several CFCU locations, our annual food drive supporting St. Joseph Food Program, Inc. brought in 876 donated items weighing almost 900 pounds! As its originator, Member Contact Service Center Specialist Lydia Irby explained, the food drive has been affectionately named the “Share the Love” food drive by CFCU team members because put simply, “that is exactly what we are trying to do: share the love.” First photo, L to R: CFCU team members Lydia Irby, Kristin Kutzleb, and Nicole Mueller prepare donations for pickup by the St. Joseph Food Program. #FoodInsecurity #EndHunger #MarchforMeals

Day two of the 71st Annual CP Telethon is well underway, and the Community First team will be onsite taking your calls from 2-3 p.m. this afternoon!   Join us in raising funds for our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors of all abilities! This event is critical to helping CP continue providing an environment that supports and empowers local children and adults with physical, cognitive, developmental, and sensory conditions.   Here’s how you can share your support: - Give one of our Telethon VIPs a call during WBAY’s live broadcast, featuring local entertainment, three-minute matches, and client stories. - Donate online: https://bit.ly/3XjeLkY #wearecp #cptelethon #imavip

We are entering the final week of our 2025 Polar Plunge fundraising campaign for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin, and freezing for a reason never felt so good. I guess you could say supporting a cause that celebrates ALL abilities just gives us the "warm and fuzzies."   In fact, our Oshkosh plunge went so well, that our team members are gearing up to do it again this Saturday in Green Bay! There’s still time to join us if you’re looking to make a splash. 💦   Want to support the cause without braving the cold? We’re selling soft and cozy penguin hats and plushies at all 25 of our branches while supplies last.   Sign up to plunge, pledge, or volunteer at a location near you: https://bit.ly/3EEYu3v #SpecialOlympics #TakeThePlunge #FreezingForAReason

Let’s face it, as humans we’re wired to thrive on personal connection. It’s no wonder that online networking tools have become such a popular means of staying connected to friends, family, colleagues, and even potential love interests.   Unfortunately, social media and dating sites have become popular targets for imposters hoping to exploit our emotional susceptibility for their financial gain. The holidays, as you might imagine, just fuel that fire. With reported losses of $1.14 billion, romance scams remain the most financially consequential of all imposter scams, making the ability to spot red flags more important than ever. That’s why this Valentine’s Day, we strongly encourage you to exercise best practices for staying social, but more importantly, staying safe.   How to spot a romance scam: https://bit.ly/3EDduyN #RomanceScams #SecurityEducation #StaySafeOnline

✨SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! ✨   Are you – or is someone you know – on the hunt for a new home? We’re partnering with the Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities to offer prospective buyers a unique, twofold opportunity.   Tour the 2025 Winter Parade of Homes, and not only will you enjoy a sneak peek of the latest in construction and design, BUT – select homes will feature access to Community First lending experts who can answer all of your mortgage and financing questions face-to-face.   Here’s where you can find us: DATES: February 8-9 & 15-16 TIME: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. LOCATIONS:      #3 MARK WINTER HOMES - 3635 Gladiolus Pl., Appleton #10 HIETPAS HOMES - W7573 School Rd., Greenville   For more information on this year’s event and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3Q7UXgt The Winter Parade of Homes kicks off tomorrow – hope to see you there! #HBAFC #MortgageLending #MembersFirst

50 Years.   To our member-owners, who believe in the power of the cooperative and the strength of community, Our dedicated board and employees, whose passion and commitment make every success possible, And our partners and the communities that inspire us every day – This milestone belongs to all of us. Celebrations are on the horizon, but for now, we pause to look back on an incredible legacy of people helping people. Thank you, Insight Publications for extending the opportunity to kick off our 50th anniversary year in style. #50Years #PeopleHelpingPeople #CUDifference

Today, we’re celebrating #NationalBloodDonorMonth with our first blood drive of the year!   Due to the holidays, inclement weather, and cold and flu season, the winter months often result in reduced blood donations and an increased risk for blood shortages, making this an especially critical time for all of us to roll up our sleeves.   Community First members and team members are doing their part by making a stop at The Community Blood Center blood mobile stationed at our Home Office location on Dresang Way in Neenah. Together, we’ll save hundreds of lives in just one day, thanks to a simple act of kindness.   We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with The Community Blood Center year after year to continue helping to fill this never-ending need.   🔴 Donation appointments are still available! Call 920-830-7200 or stop in to participate, and enjoy a cookie and some free swag, while you’re at it.   Visit The Community Blood Center’s website to learn more and sign up for future blood drive opportunities --> https://bit.ly/40dcTLc        #DonateBlood #SaveLives #NBDM

If you thought it was cold when you stepped outside this morning, imagine how it felt for someone without a winter coat or warm shoes.   We all know how expensive it can be to stock up on warm clothes and outerwear to brave the brutal, Wisconsin winter. But for some, it’s an expense they simply can’t afford.   Thanks to the Community Clothes Closet, everyone from the working poor to students, returning veterans, the homeless, older adults, and those who have emergency clothing needs because of a fire or flood, can access the clothing they need – 100% free of charge. Yesterday, team members from Community First Credit Union - Appleton Wisconsin volunteered their time to sort and prepare donated clothing for prospective shoppers who depend on the Community Clothes Closet to dress for the elements, and whatever else comes their way. Do you know or represent an organization in need of volunteers? We’d love to help! --> https://bit.ly/4gLiqzK   #Volunteering #GivingBack #CommunityInvolvement