River Valley Credit Union, located in the small town of Lowell, MI, was the recipient of the 2020 Business Appreciation Award from the Lowell Chamber of Commerce – a big honor. This award, along with others, was presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Gathering, held at the Fairway of Kent County.

Founded in 1965, River Valley Credit Union (RVCU) has been a testament to their mission of “people helping people” for 55 years, proving to be long-serving, dedicated members of their communities. While their main branch is located in Ada, their Lowell branch has worked hard to get involved and give back.

A history of giving back 

River Valley earned this recognition through sponsoring many local events, serving as a prime example of what credit unions stand for. Such events included the annual River Walk Festival held in historic Lowell, Lowell Summer Concert Series, an annual golf outing benefit raising funds for cystic fibrosis research, the Lowell Little League, and Relay for Life.

During the holiday season, River Valley sponsors a number of holiday events for the community to enjoy, from the town Christmas tree and photo opportunities with Santa, to a float in the Lowell Christmas Parade. In addition, RVCU contributes funds to the Flat River Outreach Ministries, which helps those in need through food pantries and thrift shops.

Cutter Phillips, Marketing and IT Manager at RVCU, has served on the Lowell Chamber Board of Directors for four terms as their treasurer, and participated as an ambassador and on special committees.

It’s all about the community 

Upon receiving the award, Phillips stated, “It is an honor and privilege to accept this award. In 2008, our consultants were telling us to build a branch in Grand Rapids. However, our board and staff decided to build a branch in Lowell because many of us lived in the community and knew there was something special about it.”

“We have grown together with the community of Lowell,” Phillips continued. “We know members by their name, their kids, their pets – there’s a sense of family. This award is a result of River Valley Credit Union’s mission to be in the community and involved in the communities where we have branches.”

River Valley will continue to serve its members and community in the coming years. To learn more about River Valley Credit Union and see a full list of their charity and non-profit sponsorship, take a look at their website to see their story.

The Lowell Chamber of Commerce promotes the commercial welfare of the Lowell area, promoting the quality of life and harmony among the business and residential communities. To learn more, visit the Chamber’s website.