July seemed to fly right by here at Breakwater! From braving the rain at Strawberry Fest and Key Ingredients to volunteering at Canal Run, our team has been busy — and loving every minute of it. Summer is a special time in the Copper Country, full of impactful community events that bring everyone together in celebration of all the things that make the Keweenaw region so unique.
We’re incredibly grateful to the organizations that make these events possible. Their efforts give us the opportunity to connect with our members and community on a deeper, more personal level. Keep reading for a recap of where we’ve been this month, and where you can find us this August!
Chassell Strawberry Festival celebrated its 77th year this July, bringing the community together for a sweet celebration of tradition, farming, and heritage. Strawberry farming has deep roots in Chassell, becoming an essential industry in the early 1920’s as the community transitioned from lumber to agriculture. In 1936, the Copper Country Strawberry Growers Association was formed to help fulfill shipping demands, handling about 5,000 cases of juicy red strawberries during that first year. At the time, our local strawberries were graded and shipped by rail to major markets across the Midwest.
By 1949, strawberries were such an important part of the local economy that the newly chartered Chassell Lions Club recognized the Copper Country Growers Association with the very first Chassell Strawberry Festival. Today’s festival proudly continues that tradition with the Queen’s Competition, a lively parade, live music, and old-fashioned activities for all ages.
Participating in the Chassell Strawberry Festival is a tradition that Breakwater staff always look forward to. This year, we sweetened up our Charlotte’s Web of Savings float that debuted in the Bridgefest Parade for a strawberry-themed spinoff that was a big hit with the crowd. Charlotte and Wilbur munched on sweet strawberries as we rolled along the cheerful parade route to Centennial Park, where we had a chance to enjoy Chassell’s famous strawberry shortcake for ourselves. We loved seeing so many familiar faces and sharing in the festivities with our community.
Strawberry Festival wasn’t the only sweet thing that happened in July… We also wrapped up final edits for not one, but two brand-new Breakwater commercials! These short video spots capture the spirit of who we are—from building lifelong relationships with our members to celebrating the everyday moments that lead to big milestones.
The first video tells the story of a young girl earning her first dollars at a lemonade stand along the Houghton waterfront. With a piggy bank full of hard-earned coins, she heads to Breakwater Federal Credit Union to deposit her earnings into a youth savings account, taking the first step toward building smart money habits that will last a lifetime.
At Breakwater, she is greeted by a friendly teller who helps guide her financial journey, showing that no matter how small the start, Breakwater is here to support her every step of the way.
The second commercial highlights our presence in the community and our commitment to positively impacting those we serve by supporting local organizations that give back to the Copper Country in big ways.
From volunteering and sponsorships to partnerships that promote financial wellness, this video shines a light on the meaningful connections we’ve built with the people and places that make our region so special. It’s a celebration of community, cooperation, and the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Because when people come first, communities grow stronger.
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Subscribe HereOn the note of cooperation, we were excited to host our first collaborative event with the Keweenaw Co+op! To kick off our celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives, we teamed up with the Keweenaw Co+op for Key Ingredients — the City of Hancock’s annual celebration of local food, music, and community.
Despite the looming rain clouds, the event was a success, with families flocking downtown to enjoy flavorful bites, connect with friends, and pick up their Canal Run race bibs. At our booth, we shared financial tips by playing a grocery-themed Jenga game and handed out educational coloring books and co-branded shopping totes to celebrate our cooperative spirit.
It was a joy teaming up with the Keweenaw Co+op—and even more fun stepping in to help restock their grape supply when they ran low! Moments like these are what cooperation is all about: supporting one another and making the day sweeter for everyone involved.
Our collaboration with the Keweenaw Co+op doesn’t stop at Key Ingredients. We have a have two Co-op Pop-Ups planned for the end of July and August. These mini-events are a chance for us to bring financial wellness resources directly to the community. With a Breakwater ATM conveniently located inside the Co+op, it’s the perfect place to connect, learn, and celebrate the cooperative spirit we share.
Join us from 3:30–5:00 PM on Thursday, July 31 and Thursday, August 21 for our upcoming Co-op Pop-Ups at the Keweenaw Co+op! We’ll be sharing helpful financial resources, answering your questions, and handing out a few fun giveaways!
This August, we’re continuing our partnership with Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) to host Money Talks for Young Adults. This free, two-part workshop is designed to help young adults build the skills and confidence they need to navigate the financial realities of adulthood.
Held in the Community Room at PLDL, each session will explore essential financial topics like budgeting, saving, establishing credit, understanding taxes, and avoiding financial pitfalls. The sessions will be casual and conversational with engaging activities and games to help reinforce concepts and make learning about important financial topics more approachable for all.
Though designed with high school and college students in mind, the series is open to anyone interested in learning some practical tips to improve their financial well-being. Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions. No registration is required.
The workshops will take place Thursday, August 7th and Thursday, August 14th from 3:30-4:30PM.
Our vision is to empower our members and community by providing valuable financial resources and exceptional service. Through financial literacy education, we hope to equip individuals in our community with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions in the future. Our goal is to foster long-term stability and success for both our members and the community as a whole.
If your school or organization would like to partner with us on future financial literacy events, please contact Breakwater’s Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator, Kayleigh White: Kayleigh.white@breakwaterfcu.org .
One of the most unique Copper Country events of the year — Pasty Fest!
This annual Calumet celebration honors the iconic folded pastry that once fueled generations of miners and still sparks heated debates to this day.
Are you Team Ketchup, Team Gravy, or one of those bold souls who swears by hot sauce?
Are you rooting for rutabaga, or do you prefer your pasty root-free? Sliced veggies or diced — does it make or break the bite?
We want to hear all about your pasty preferences at this year’s Pasty Fest on Saturday, August 16th from 12–4 PM.
Stop by our booth and say hi — we promise we won’t judge your condiment of choice. (Okay, maybe just a little.)
We’ll have limited edition pasty-themed giveaways, a fun financial challenge, and maybe even a debate or two about whether rutabaga really belongs in the pasty mix.
Because whether you’re in it for the tradition, the taste, or the great pasty debates, Pasty Fest is all about community and we’re excited to be a part of it!
Breakwater is dedicated to strengthening the Copper Country by standing behind the people and nonprofits that help our community thrive. We support their work through donations, sponsorships, and by volunteering our time.
This July, we volunteered at the 50th Annual Canal Run, handing out water and cheering on runners as they made their way to the finish line. This year’s Canal Run was the biggest one yet, with 1,103 racers! This year’s Canal Run was a benefit event for UP Kids, an organization dedicated to caring for children and building brighter futures.
If you have a volunteer opportunity that you think we should be a part of, please contact our Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator, Kayleigh White, at Kayleigh.White@breakwaterfcu.org and let us know!
Each month, we are proud to support local events and nonprofits by providing sponsorships and donations. Here’s a look at how we gave back to the community this month.
Breakwater will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day. Please keep in mind that while our branch may be closed, our online banking services and ATMs will remain available for your convenience.
Looking for a new or used truck or SUV before the snow flies? This is a great time to shop, as our local car dealerships typically offer end-of-summer sales to make room for incoming models. Take advantage of the season and let Breakwater help you finance your next vehicle with confidence.
We offer fixed-rate auto loans with flexible term options up to 84 months, along with 100% financing for qualified borrowers. From new models to reliable used vehicles, our team is here to guide you through the process with personalized service and quick pre-approvals.
Whether you’re gearing up for winter roads or just ready for an upgrade, we’re here to help you hit the road with confidence. Stop by, give us a call, or apply online today to get started. Walk-ins are always welcome — we’re happy to help whenever it’s convenient for you.
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Apply NowAs summer wraps up, many homeowners turn their attention to fall home projects, winter prep, or even consolidating debt before the holidays. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) from Breakwater gives you flexible, affordable access to your home’s equity—just in time for everything on your to-do list.
At Breakwater, our HELOC offers:
With the flexibility to borrow and repay on your terms, a HELOC puts the power of your home to work.
Have questions? Our lending team is here to help you explore your options and decide if a HELOC is the right fit.
We focus on more than just your financial journey.
At Breakwater, being member-owned means every decision is made with you in mind. We believe in giving back, getting involved, and making a real impact right here in the Copper Country.
Because life is better when we do good together.
700 E. Sharon Ave.,
Houghton, MI 49931
Call or Text: 906.482.5005
Fax: 906.482.2451
Email: info@breakwaterfcu.org
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