Credit union thanks its members

A credit union in the Upper Peninsula braved the pouring rain on Friday to say ‘thank you’ to its customers.

SIR Federal Credit Union held its annual Member Appreciation Day. Each of its branch locations grilled up bratwursts and hot dogs.

Guests also enjoyed a drink and a bag of chips.  Jilbert Dairy provided ice cream, and it was all free of charge.

“We do a cookout to give prize drawings, raffle prizes, gift cards, fire pits, and that kind of stuff for our membership.  It’s a way to give back to our membership and even with the rainy weather, you can see that they are supporting us, just as much as we are supporting them,” SIR Federal Credit Union CEO Ron Lauren said.

SIR asked the National Credit Union Administration several months ago for permission to expand.  Chippewa County would be the only area of the U.P. that SIR would not serve.

“Right now its gone from the analysis on it, to the regional office in New York. We’re just waiting to hear back from them and see what they are going to do with our charter expansion,” Lauren said.

SIR Federal Credit Union is based in Negaunee.  Other branch locations are in Marquette and Gwinn.