In the Community

2024 Volunteer Hours:

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Valley’s Community Outreach/Impact Philosophy

Valley has a long-standing belief of supporting the communities we serve. Our dedication to any outreach completed, is provided in the spirit of enriching not only Valley and its employees, but the organizations we affiliate ourselves with and their employees.

Valley’s community outreach ensures the organizations we choose to assist, embody the credit union philosophy of “People helping People.”

Valley strives to stay continually active and attentive to what is happening in our communities so we can help build a better place for everyone. Valley delivers results through volunteerism of staff, their families, as well as donations and sponsorships.

Through these beliefs, Valley has produced, and continues to expand positive impact to our communities, members, and employees.

Latest Community Projects

A Helping Hand for Miles City School District

Valley Credit Union lent a helping hand to the Miles City School District on December 7th. A donation of $3,000 was presented to Superintendent Meghan Brown, aiming to alleviate the burden of past due school lunch costs. This donation underscores Valley Credit Union's commitment to community welfare and its belief in the significant impact small contributions can make in local education.

Valley Credit Union recognizes the challenges faced by families in meeting essential needs, and in response, chose to address a fundamental aspect of student well-being. The $3,000 check, presented to Superintendent Meghan Brown, is an expression of Valley Credit Union's dedication to supporting the local community.

Superintendent Meghan Brown will distribute the funds among the local schools in Miles City. This distribution strategy reflects Valley Credit Union's understated commitment to making a positive impact at the grassroots level, acknowledging that support for education goes beyond financial assistance alone.

Canyon Creek School

In the world of education, the struggle to balance the budget often leads to tough decisions. One common casualty in these financial challenges is extracurricular activities, which are the lifeblood of a vibrant school community. Recently, Canyon Creek School in Billings had to face this difficult situation when they had to temporarily suspend these activities.

When the news broke that Canyon Creek School had to make these cuts, there was a sense of disappointment in the air. Teachers and students alike understood the impact this decision would have on the overall development of the students. Danielle Roberts, the Business Manager and School Clerk at Canyon Creek, shared that the school community was deeply saddened by the necessity of these cutbacks.

However, there was a glimmer of hope when Valley Credit Union stepped in with a generous donation that breathed new life into the school's extracurricular programs. This unexpected support not only restored hope but also showcased the power of a community uniting to support its young members. Roberts expressed her surprise, saying, "We didn't see this coming; we didn't seek it out. They came out of nowhere, wanting to help us, and it's just amazing." This unexpected turn of events brought renewed enthusiasm to the school's staff and students, who all share a strong bond, much like that of a family.

The Hive 2024 - Recap

Rocky Mountain College hosted the 3rd Annual Hive event where nine high school entrepreneurs pitched their business plans to a panel of local businesspeople. A total of $8,500 in cash prizes were awarded, and the winner will receive mentorship from Rock31, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and AD Creative Group.

We wish all the entrepreneurs the best of luck as they travel the road of being their own boss.

Now let's announce the winners:

-People's Choice Award went to Yellowstone Leather Creations. This award, sponsored by TEDxBillings, was voted on by the audience through their phones and came with a $500 cash prize. Yellowstone Leather Creations has a passion for creativity and leatherwork.

-The Most Memorable pitch went to A&K Terrariums, courtesy of 406 Memories. A & K Terrariums is a Billings-made business dedicated to bringing plants into everyone's hands, with or without a green thumb.

-3rd place went to BeatrizMexican Sweets which came with a $1,000 cash prize compliments of the Northern Hotel. She has a passion for baking and her vibrant Mexican heritage allows her to skillfully create traditional baked good with a unique twist to bring out new and exciting flavors.

-2nd place went to Good Fortune Creations which came with a $1,500 cash prize, again, compliments of the Northern Hotel. This business focuses on promoting Native American identity through artwork and beadwork.

-1st place went to... drum roll please ..... The Ark Of Billings which came with a $5,000 cash prize compliments of Valley Credit Union. The Ark of Billings is an animal treat company focused on maintaining both environment and quality by creating handmade dog treats, cat treats, bird feeders, and paw creams that are shaped like his home state of Montana.

Lastly, we just wanted to thank all our sponsors who helped make this event happen: Northern Hotel, Billings Chamber of Commerce, AD Creative, Billings Public Schools, Rocky Mountain College, Rock31, TEDxBillings, KULR8 News, Billings - Allegra Marketing, Print, & Mail, and 406 Memories. Also, a big thank you to everyone that showed up in the audience to cheer on these students!

Wise Wonders

Valley Credit Union (Valley) recently donated $25,000 to Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum (Wise Wonders) to assist with the museum’s latest expansion. These funds will be used to support the local organization in its efforts to build an updated grocery store exhibit for young learners.

“We are proud to sponsor this community-centered organization in its pursuit to foster creativity and engage curious minds through hands-on learning,” said Casey Klein, CEO of Valley Credit Union and Wise Wonders board member. “The value that this environment brings our youth is unmatched. We are eager to see the new attractions come to fruition in this renovated space and know that the museum will continue to be a staple for young minds for many years to come.”

In 2019, Wise Wonders moved to a new location that offered more room for playful learning and continued growth. However, shortly after their reopening, COVID-19 hit, and the museum was forced to close for over a year. It wasn’t until earlier this year, on April 28, 2021, that the museum was able to officially reopen and welcome families back into their facility. Since then, Wise Wonders has worked diligently to get operations back to where they were and proceed with their plans for new attractions and enhanced programming.

One of Wise Wonders' main goals for the new space was to provide a larger-scale grocery store exhibit for children. At the museum’s previous location, they had a smaller grocery store set-up that was the most trafficked exhibit and supplied high interaction from children. The funds from Valley will make this vision a reality.

“Wise Wonders is incredibly thankful for the generous support of Valley Credit Union,” said Dr. Laura Stockdale, Executive Director of Wise Wonders Children’s Museum. “Through their contribution, we will be able to make a fantastic grocery store. This space will be a place for kids to role-play, use their imaginations, work together with other kids, and learn and grow. This exhibit would not be possible without the support from Valley.”

Local High Schools

At Valley we go to local high schools to put on Reality Fairs to teach high school students about real life budgeting. This will consist of the students being placed in a job/family where they will have to go table to table to get a mortgage/rent, phone, utilities, etc... At the end we will take a look over their budget to see how they did. We will also give them any advice we see necessary.

Also, Valley has partnered up with the Billings All High School Celebration Committee to be the title sponsor. This consists of helping fund a sober party the night of graduation for Billings Senior, West, and Skyview high school as well as a volunteer at their events, plus much more!

The Historic Babcock Theatre

For the 4th year in a row, Valley Credit Union is renewing its $10,000 sponsorship to the Babcock Theatre, a historical landmark in Downtown Billings. This sponsorship helps the Billings community experience this one of a kind non-profit.

“Being able to help support a non-profit that provides a great partnership with Valley is a big reason we continue this sponsorship,” said Brandon Scala, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement at Valley Credit Union. “The Babcock Theatre continues to be a historic part of Downtown Billing’s identity. We hope this theatre remains open for generations to come!”

A few years ago the Babcock Theatre came under ownership of the City of Billings. A local non-profit cinema called, Art House Billings, thought this would be a great opportunity for them to revive the historic theatre that has so much heritage in our city. As a non-profit they work as hard as possible to keep everything affordable, from their concessions (BEST popcorn in town) to the movie ticket itself.

“Valley’s Credit Union’s contribution to the Babcock not only allows us to continue our unique community programming, but gives us the opportunity to plan for the future of this historic theatre,” said Matt Blakeslee, Executive Director and Founder of Art House Billings. “ We feel the benefit of not only the financial contribution, but the relationships with Valley staff and members as well. The Babcock is truly a community theater and this sponsorship is a testament to that reality. We are all in this together!”

Explorers Academy, A Head Start Program Library

Valley has helped Explorers Academy, A Head Start Program fund their library at their new location at 511 Custer Ave. We have book bins at all of our Billings locations for new and gently used books to be donated to this library. Also, we go over to the library once a month to read to the kids. We help them out with many other events going on throughout the year as well.

Pay-It-Forward Events

Valley Credit Union knows that little good deeds can go a long way towards brightening someone’s day. That’s why we started our Pay It Forward events, to treat people in the community to a cup of coffee or lunch, or some other small treat to make their day better. Follow us on Facebook/Instagram to see who we treat next! #ValleyCUPaysItForward

Zoo Montana Bison Exhibit Sponsor

Part of supporting our community is also supporting organizations that share a commitment to our area youth. ZooMontana is one such organization and we are proud to be the primary sponsor for their bison exhibit!

Proud sponsor of the new scoreboard in the gym at Columbus High School!

For our latest community events, be sure to check us our on Facebook or our News & Events page of our website.

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Valley’s Community Outreach/Impact Philosophy

Latest Community Projects