Fall was filled with kindness, cooperation, and connection here at Breakwater. From CU Kind Day, where our staff had the chance to spread joy throughout the Copper Country, to our collaborative presentation with the Keweenaw Co+op on the seven principles of cooperatives, the season reminded us of the power of working together to support our community.
Now, as the vibrant colors of fall fade and the first hints of winter settle in, the Copper Country starts to glow with a different kind of warmth. We swap pumpkins for twinkling lights and are reminded that the holiday season is just around the corner. As we look forward to the many festive traditions that bring our community closer, we also take time to reflect on the growing needs of our community and the many ways we may be able to help. We are ready to keep the spirit of generosity going strong as we transition into this holiday season. But before we dive into the festivities ahead, we want to pause and highlight the meaningful moments that brought us together in October and November—starting with CU Kind Day.
Each year, credit unions across the country come together for a day of kindness to demonstrate the power of people helping people—a philosophy at the heart of the credit union movement. With the support of the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, we were able to offer each of our employees $100 to spread kindness in a way of their choosing.
Our employees found fun and meaningful ways to give back to the community. Our Operations team spent an evening at Walmart, surprising shoppers by handing out gift cards and brightening their day. Meanwhile, our Lending staff made a donation to the Keweenaw Acts of Kindness Bridges Program and treated teachers at Dollar Bay–Tamarack City Area Schools to lunch as a token of appreciation. Other employees chose to support local organizations and individuals by donating to home health nurses, the Copper Country Angel Mission, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, and a local family in need. It was rewarding to see our staff come together to make CU Kind Day a success.
Additionally, Breakwater has purchased over twenty books about personal finance and money management, which have been placed in little free libraries throughout the community. We hope these resources find their way into the hands of neighbors of all ages—helping to spark financial confidence, inspire thoughtful money habits, and encourage lifelong learning. We ask that these books are returned to a neighborhood library when they are not being used so that others can benefit from them too.
Books are currently available in the following Free Book Libraries:
A cooperative (co-op) is an organization that is owned and operated by its members, existing to serve the needs of their communities—not to generate profit for outside shareholders. In celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives, we teamed up with the Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli to present at the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce’s October Lunch & Learn. Whether its food, finances, or farming, cooperatives share a common purpose rooted in community and collaboration. Guided by the seven principles of cooperatives, both Keweenaw Co+op and Breakwater are committed to serving our members, strengthening our local economy, and building a more connected and resilient Copper Country.
By coming together and sharing what makes cooperatives unique, we hope to inspire a deeper understanding of the impact member-owned organizations can have in our communities. From helping you manage your money to helping you fill your table, cooperatives make the Copper Country a better place to live, work, and grow.
In the spirit of cooperation, we also joined forces with the Co+op to hold a food drive in November. With the holiday season nearing, we remain focused on uplifting our community by helping ensure every family has the essentials they need to feel secure and share meaningful time together.
We wrapped up the month of October by celebrating our employees during a full week of fun activities, dress up days, and treats. From wacky sock day and pink-out Wednesday to festive Halloween costumes, we embraced every excuse to add a little extra joy to the workday. With a potluck lunch and ice cream social, there was no shortage of delicious food. Add in games like bingo and a rock-paper-scissors bracket, and it all added up to a fun-filled week celebrating the wonderful people who make our mission possible every single day.
Our staff continues to volunteer their time to help support community events and organizations. This fall, our staff enjoyed passing out candy in Calumet and Houghton for Trick-or-Treating events. One of our employees donated blood at Portage Health and two helped with the Feeding America Food Truck this October. We are proud to announce that we have made it over 85% of the way towards reaching our cumulative goal of 168 hours of employee volunteering this year. We encourage community members to reach out with volunteer opportunities that we can share with our staff. Please email marketing@breakwaterfcu.org if your organization needs volunteers!
Breakwater has had the privilege of sponsoring or donating to many community organizations this year. This fall, we have donated to the Gen X, Y, and I Podcast, the Portage Lake Pioneers, the Hancock Rotary Hallo-Wine Tasting Event, the Chassell Improvement Association for Chassell’s Old-Fashioned Christmas, L’Anse Area High School’s Senior Lock-In, Operation Copper Country Active Duty, the City of Hancock Annual Snow Sculpting Invitational, Dollar Bay Basketball, and Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools Basketball teams. We’re grateful for the chance to support so many local efforts and remain committed to uplifting the organizations that strengthen our community.
The season of giving is here, and Breakwater Federal Credit Union is excited to begin a new tradition of Adopting a Family for Christmas! A Giving Tree is now set up in the Breakwater lobby, featuring tags that highlight the needs of four local families. Breakwater invites community members to stop in, select a tag from the Giving Tree, and purchase the requested item for a family who could use a little extra support this season.
Each tag includes a wish list item and basic information about the recipient to help guide shoppers find appropriate gifts. Gifts can be returned unwrapped to Breakwater Federal Credit Union during regular business hours by Friday, December 5th.
By participating in the Giving Tree, community members can play a meaningful role in making the holidays brighter for neighbors who are facing hardship this year. All donated items will be distributed to adopted families prior to Christmas to help spread joy and holiday cheer.
How to Participate
The City of Hancock is starting a new holiday tradition by lighting up the city campground for the holiday season! Breakwater is excited to participate in this inaugural year of festive lights, joining local organizations in transforming the space into a cheerful holiday scene for families to enjoy.
Breakwater is bringing Christmas to life with Santa’s Workshop in campsite number 44. Stop by the evening of November 29th for the first night of the light display for opening night and take in the lights, holiday music, and a little seasonal magic. The display will be lit from 5:30-8:00PM daily November 29- January 5.
Make Your Holiday Season Brighter with Breakwater’s Holiday Loan Special.
Whether you’re traveling home for the holidays, purchasing gifts for loved ones, or simply looking to add a little extra sparkle to the season, our limited-time loan offer is designed to help you enjoy the moments that matter most.
Breakwater’s holiday loan special provides rate options based on credit score and repayment terms of up to 12 months. The application process is simple and convenient, making it easy to access funds for seasonal spending, travel plans, or unexpected expenses.
All applicants must meet standard lending requirements, including acceptable debt-to-income and unsecured debt ratios. A processing fee is collected at the time of approval. This promotion applies to new borrowing only unless you are increasing an existing unsecured loan.
Loans are subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Rates and terms depend on creditworthiness and other qualifying criteria and may change at any time. The offer is available from November 3, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Additional conditions or limitations may apply. Please contact Breakwater Federal Credit Union for complete program details.
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Breakwater Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting our members and the community we serve. We recognize that the government shutdown may have created financial challenges for members who work in federal positions. If you are affected, we encourage you to contact us to connect with a loan officer who can review your situation and discuss possible solutions to help you through this period of uncertainty.
Members are welcome to visit the credit union or call to schedule an appointment.
Breakwater Federal Credit Union will be closed for Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2025. Normal business hours will resume Friday, November 28, 2025. While our lobby will be closed, members can still access their accounts via online or mobile banking or by visiting one of our ATMs.
Breakwater will also be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will close at 12PM on New Year’s Eve.
A full list of closures can be found here.
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