Super Bowl fever was getting a firm grip Wednesday on credit union "wagering" across both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Already nearly half a dozen CUs in metro Pittsburgh and in Green Bay along with league foundations were making the friendly wagers of both native-grown goodies as well as charity cash in bets on Sunday's football championship between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.
"Since the Packers will win, we're eagerly looking for those Pennsylvania credit unions to start forking over the donations they've made on behalf of Green Bay charities," declared Mary Stroh, president/CEO of the $8 million Wisconsin Medical CU, which is doing a $500 matched donation against PA HealthCare CU of Sewickley Pa. Also in on that wagering is Horizon Community CU of Green Bay.
A Pittsburgh Steelers victory will aid the Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital and Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital, said PA Healthcare. Conversely, a Green Bay Packers victory will benefit a number of Wisconsin charities with Wisconsin Medical allowing its members to pick a favorite.
"We have had a few wagers like this over the years with the Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins and it is a great way to showcase how credit unions make a difference in our communities," said Paul Fero, CEO of PA HealthCare.
Stroh added, "I know in the past there have been exchange of all kinds of foods and wine but we decided that let's benefit our local charities."
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association even crowed "when the Pittsburgh Steelers win their seventh Super Bowl Championship on Sunday, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, will be the recipient of a Wisconsin-themed gift basket from the Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation."
The friendly wager between the states "ensures that the true winner will be financial literacy. Both state foundations have pledged to use their gift basket in an auction to raise funds for their respective Foundation programs."
