FREMONT, Mich.--John Buckley, president/CEO of Gerber Federal Credit Union, read the Berenstain Bears book “Dollars and Sense” to second grade students at schools in Newaygo County during the month of April. The popular book introduces children to the value of money and how to save.
To spread the message of good money management, Buckley also presented every student, their teacher and their school library with a copy of the book. More than 700 books were donated to local schools. These books were made possible through a partnership with the Michigan Credit Union League and a donation from the Gerber Federal Credit Union.
During his tour, Buckley visited Pathfinder Elementary School in Fremont, Fremont Christian Elementary School, Grant Elementary School, Patricia St. Clair Elementary in Hesperia, Velma Watson Upper Elementary School in Newaygo and White Cloud Elementary.
Meanwhile, Gerber FCU partnered with Sallie Mae to offer members a private education loan program that helps families save money and pay off their loan faster than other alternatives. The Smart Option Student Loan assists families as they cover the rising cost of college tuition and offers degree-seeking students competitive interest rates as well as in-school payment choices to help them graduate with less debt.
Finally, as part of Gerber FCU’s annual Financial Literacy Legislative Challenge students at Holton High School met with Representative Jon Bumstead and GFCU President/CEO John Buckley during May. Students at Newaygo High School met with Senator Goeff Hansen and Buckley.
This collaborative event is held each year, and brings together lawmakers, students, and financial professionals. It is a unique partnership which builds relationships between Michigan legislators and their constituents while providing students lifelong financial skills. Buckley and the lawmakers discussed the importance of financial literacy.