For Antigo Times

The Board of Directors for CoVantage Cares Foundation announced that checks totaling nearly $307,000 were presented to local non-profit groups that serve communities where CoVantage Credit Union has branches. The funds were made possible thanks to generous donations by CoVantage Credit Union members, staff, and community members who responded to the Foundation’s 2018 Giving 2sday campaign.

Giving Tuesday, which is immediately after Black Friday, is nationally-recognized for charitable giving. This date was selected by the Foundation as an opportune time to kick off a fund-raising effort in support of local organizations that help local individuals and families in need. Branch staff throughout CoVantage Credit Union’s locations were asked to select a non-profit group in their community to be the recipient of funds raised, with the understanding that contributions generated during the two-week effort would be matched up to $125,000 by CoVantage Cares Foundation. Thanks to the matching funds, along with the generosity of many, donations totaling $306,763 were gifted locally.

According to Charlie Zanayed, CoVantage CEO and CoVantage Cares Foundation Board Member, “We are so thankful to our member-owners who support CoVantage Credit Union and their local community. We are very grateful to our members, employees, and community members for their generosity and could not be more thrilled to be able to give a financial boost to these ten deserving charities.”

Charities selected to receive funding from the third annual Giving 2sday initiative and their sponsoring CoVantage branches include: United Way of Langlade County (Antigo); Look Good, Feel Better Program (Elcho); Crandon Police Department K9 Unit (Crandon); KIN Youth Program (Rhinelander); Wolf River Habitat for Humanity (Shawano); Catholic Charities (Wausau, Weston, Rib Mountain, Rothschild); Interfaith Food Pantry (Stevens Point); Crystal Theatre (Crystal Falls, MI); Iron Amateur Hockey Association (Iron River, MI); and Love Lights Tree Program (Menominee, MI).

For more information about CoVantage Cares Foundation, or to obtain the grant application needed to request a donation, visit www.covantagecu.org/cares

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Representatives from the United Way of Langlade County gathered together to accept a check from the CoVantage Cares Foundation Giving Tuesday campaign. From left, Jim Fittante, Gary Smits, Katie Devore, Stephanie Bartletti, Jane Zeller, Mary Moore, Matt Gaedtke, Mark Jo Filbrandt, and Sherry Aulik from the United Way Board and (front from left), Kim Duchan and Jeannie Larson from CoVantage Credit Union’s Antigo Branch.