More than 1,600 students participate in KickStart to Career Deposit Days

More than 1,600 Mason County students from kindergarten through fifth grade recently participated in KickStart to Career (K2C) Deposit Days. Now in its sixth year, K2C is a financial savings program that is a collaborative effort between the Community Foundation for Mason County, Mason County schools, and local financial institutions. The program is designed to encourage learners and their families to save for their future education and career training.

Over the course of three days in November, Deposit Days brought financial literacy to life for students across the county. Third graders visited West Shore Bank and Safe Harbor Credit Union, where they learned about ATMs, drive-thru banking, and bank vaults and even saw automated money counters in action. All participating students had the opportunity to make deposits into their K2C child savings accounts, with third graders depositing in person at the banks and other students depositing through their teachers. K2C volunteers visited classrooms, engaging students with grade-level-specific educational materials and fun activities focused on financial planning.

“We are thrilled to see the continued enthusiasm for Deposit Days,” said Becky Bruett, KickStart to Career coordinator at the Community Foundation for Mason County. “By providing early exposure to financial concepts and encouraging saving habits, we are investing in the future success of our children and our community.”

The success of Deposit Days is due to the strong community support for K2C. Key partners include West Shore Bank and Safe Harbor Credit Union, the third-grade hosts and sponsors for the financial curriculum. West Shore Bank houses all of the K2C child’s savings accounts. The West Shore ESD also sponsors the curriculum for the program. Grade-level sponsors provide financial support by ensuring that every child in the program receives an annual deposit of $10. These include West Shore Bank, Carol Nelson, Scottville Optimist Club and Ludington Optimist Club, Safe Harbor Credit Union, United Way of Mason County, and Ludrock. The John and Anita Wilson Family Fund of the Community Foundation provides the initial $50 seed deposit for each kindergartener’s account. Other donors who provide significant program support include Joan Hasenbank, Mary Church, the Epworth Fund for Ludington, and Patrick and Maria O’Hare. Additional support came from teachers, school administrators, and bank representatives.

Students have other opportunities to earn incentives during the school year. Every participant can earn $5 deposits for participating in March is Reading Month and reaching their 100-mile goal in the Win with Wellness program. Additional matching funds are generously provided by Adam and Christine Lamb for third graders and Nader’s Motel & Suites for fifth graders at Ludington Area Catholic School.

Friends and family members of participating students may consider making a deposit into their student’s child savings account to celebrate a birthday, the holidays, or any other time of year. To add to a K2C account, they should visit any local West Shore Bank branch and provide their student’s name, name of school, and date of birth.

KickStart to Career adds another grade level to the program each school year. Individuals and organizations interested in becoming a grade-level sponsor and those seeking more information about K2C may visit https://mason-foundation.org/ or contact Becky Bruett, KickStart to Career Coordinator, at kickstart@cffmc.org.

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