Driven by a commitment to community, Breakwater Federal Credit Union employees volunteered nearly 250 hours across the Copper Country in 2025. At the beginning of the year, Breakwater set a collective goal of 168 volunteer hours based on team size in 2025. By year’s end, employees surpassed that goal, contributing a total of 228.25 volunteer hours in support of more than 25 local causes.
Breakwater views community involvement as a core part of its mission, reinforcing a commitment to bettering the communities served. Employees are encouraged to volunteer for organizations that are meaningful to them and make a positive impact locally. This year’s volunteer efforts included ongoing support for organizations such as 31 Backpacks, which helps ensure local students have access to food on weekends, and the City of Hancock, where Breakwater employees regularly assist with community cleanups, seasonal celebrations, and public events. Additional efforts supported youth financial literacy programs, environmental initiatives, fundraising events, and community celebrations.
Just days before Christmas, Breakwater rallied a group of employees to step in and volunteer for Hancock Lights the Night, providing crucial support for the community event. Following the event, Todd Gast of the City of Hancock Downtown Development Authority shared, “Just a quick note to thank you and Team Breakwater for doing such a wonderful job hosting Hancock Lights the Night. We can’t do community events without the community’s support, and Breakwater has been so great in doing so.”
In addition to volunteering regularly, Breakwater’s employees also came together to host charitable drives at the credit union at times of community need. Credit Unions are founded on the philosophy of “people helping people,” and Breakwater employees put that philosophy into action by responding to local needs as they arise. At the end of summer, when Copper Country Humane Society was pushed past capacity, a group of employees spearheaded a supply drive that resulted in two carloads full of food, toys, and essential supplies for the shelter. In December, the lending department collaborated with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to adopt local families for a giving tree in the Breakwater lobby. The community showed tremendous support, exceeding expectations and filling the lobby with donations for local families in need.
Breakwater values the dedication of its employees who continue to donate their time and energy to supporting causes that make the Copper Country a great place to live. Looking ahead to 2026, Breakwater aims to build on this momentum and further increase employee volunteer involvement. While Breakwater employees may not be available to participate in every event, the credit union welcomes volunteer requests and encourages involvement whenever possible. Volunteer requests may be sent to marketing@breakwaterfcu.org.
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