Honoring the past and supporting the future: Royal Credit Union’s 60th anniversary event
EAU CLAIRE, WI (October 17, 2024) — Royal Credit Union (Royal) celebrated its 60th anniversary Saturday, October 12, hosting a community event that drew over 700 attendees and honoring its roots with a $12,000 donation to two local non-profit organizations.
The community celebration took place at The Brewing Projekt in Eau Claire. The event featured live music from The Whitesidewalls, local snacks, a custom brew named Uniroy-Ale, and the first 500 attendees received a commemorative pint glass. Before the public event, Royal held a private reception to honor former Uniroyal employees and recognize their contributions to the company’s early history.
Reflecting on the celebration, former board member Derrel Wekkin shared, “The turnout is absolutely amazing. It’s a treat to reconnect with so many familiar faces, some I haven’t seen in over 30 years. I’m proud of RCU’s legacy of supporting the community. What began in 1964 as a meeting to form a credit union for the people has grown into one of the most intentional credit unions in the entire state, and beyond.”
As part of the celebration, Royal donated $12,000, split evenly between two local organizations—the Chippewa Valley Museum and Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation (CVTC).
“Royal Credit Union was built on the foundation of service, and this anniversary allows us to reflect on where we came from while continuing to invest in our community’s future,” said Brandon Riechers, President and CEO of Royal. “We are proud to support organizations that preserve our region’s history and develop tomorrow’s workforce.”
The Chippewa Valley Museum received a $6,000 donation, which will support its efforts to preserve the region’s rich history, including its collection of artifacts from the former Gillette/U.S. Rubber/Uniroyal Tire Factory, once located at Eau Claire’s Banbury Place. The museum’s Uniroyal Tire Factory Gallery showcases tools, equipment, photographs, and memorabilia from the plant, providing visitors a glimpse into the factory’s impact on the community and the lives of its workers. Royal’s contribution will help ensure these stories and artifacts continue to be accessible for future generations.
CVTC also received $6,000 to support its Manufacturing Education Center, which equips students with skills for careers in modern manufacturing. The center offers programs in machine tooling, welding, electrical maintenance, and automation engineering, preparing graduates for high-demand roles in a variety of industries. This donation not only honors the legacy of Uniroyal employees but also supports the next generation of skilled workers who will help shape the future of manufacturing in the region.
About Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 320,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.
