The local branch of CoVantage is located at 1200 Badger Ave. in Stevens Point. The comany will begin construction on a second branch in Plover later this year. (Metro Wire photo)

CoVantage pledges to match $150K on Giving Tuesday

November 26, 2020

By Patrick Lynn

The CoVantage Cares Foundation announced this week the kickoff of their annual giving campaign.

The two-week fundraising event runs from Tuesday, Dec. 1—traditionally known as “Giving Tuesday”—through Dec. 15.

Funds generated will be matched with up to $150,000 in contributions from CoVantage Cares Foundation, a public charity established by CoVantage Credit Union.

The Foundation was established as “a way to provide financial support to organizations that serve individuals, especially those experiencing significant financial challenge, and organizations that work to enhance the quality of life,” in communities that the credit union serves, according to CoVantage CEO Charlie Zanayed.

“I’m grateful to be able to say our credit union has a history of supporting local non-profit organizations and living our mission of helping those in need,” Zanayed said. “Because our members, staff, and community members have made our Giving Tuesday campaigns such a huge success the past four years, it is our hope that they come together again in 2020 to raise money for the 11 charities that will benefit from the fundraising campaign.”

Area residents can make an online donation through MyCoVantage (if they are members); mail a check made payable to CoVantage Cares Foundation, PO Box 107, Antigo, Wis. 54409; or drop off a check or cash at any CoVantage drive-up location.

According to a press release from the credit union, local non-profit organizations, chosen by CoVantage staff, will receive the funding this year. The list of recipients are United Way of Langlade County (Antigo); Children’s Imaginarium (Wausau area); Safe Haven Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Support Center (Shawano); Forest County Ties That Bind Us (Crandon); Elcho Community Pavilion (Elcho); YMCA of the Northwoods (Rhinelander); Interfaith Food Pantry of Portage County (Stevens Point): Freedom House Green Bay (Suamico); Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley (Neenah, Menasha, Appleton); Locker Lunch (Crystal Falls & Iron River); and Henes Park Improvements, City of Menominee, Mich. (Menominee).

For more information about CoVantage Cares Foundation or the Giving Tuesday campaign, go to www.covantagecu.org/cares

With some $2.2 billion assets, CoVantage has headquarters in Antigo and serves over 125,000 members across all of their locations. Founded in 1953, the financial cooperative serves members living or working in 22 counties in Wisconsin and three counties in the U.P. of Michigan.