By Tammy Calderwood
Marketing & Business Development, Mercer County Community Credit Union
HERMITAGE, Pa. – Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union began 2023 with a vision to grow and give back to the community.
Growth began in the spring with the start of construction for a 10,000-square-foot office in Hermitage, Pa. New technology, added services and a growing membership base were contributing factors in deciding to build a new office. It is scheduled for completion this spring.
Our growth in 2023 was also defined in terms of the number of people and organizations impacted daily by serv-ices the credit union provides – both financially and through volunteerism.
In 2023, a $10,000 grant obtained through the CrossState Credit Union Foundation served as a catalyst to bring financial literacy to hundreds of students through a partnership with Junior Achievement of Western PA. A $10,000 matching fund was provided by our credit union along with contributions from area businesses.
Community commitment continued in October with CU Kind Day – an event that evolved into several months of spreading kindness and goodwill. Mercer County Community FCU joined the CrossState Credit Union Association as credit unions throughout Pennsylvania volunteered and donated to nonprofit organizations.
Locally, credit union board members and staff took time to teach financial literacy classes and volunteer at local organizations. In addition, the credit donated $100 to each of these 17 nonprofits.
Pictured at top: The Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union presented a $10,000 check in March to fund JA’s BizTown program at Ionta Elementary School in Hermitage, Pa. Front row: Students Sophia Lewis-Bateson and Brody Smith with Sandi Carangi, credit union CEO and JA board chairwoman. Back row: Dan Bell, Hermitage superintendent; Matt Ristvey and Brad Mantzell, JA board; Bill Lucas, executive VP, Junior Achievement of Western PA; Elaine Patton, credit union employee and JA board; Eric Horvath and Eric Trosch, Hermitage School District.