Credit union honors local students, previews its future MCCFCU meeting honors local students, previews its future

Apr. 24—HERMITAGE — The Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union's recent annual meeting honored some of the county's graduating seniors, while also giving a preview of the credit union's future.

Held April 13 in the Avalon Country Club in Hermitage, the annual meeting celebrated the credit union's 67 years of service to its members, according to a press release.

Credit union CEO Sandi Carangi reported that over the past year, the credit union focused on two main goals — the construction of its new Hermitage office and volunteering in the community.

This included members of the staff, board and supervisory committee teaching financial lessons at local schools and donating to non-profit organizations in the community, carrying out the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People."

"We've been doing this across the seven-county area we cover," Carangi said.

The credit union's Hermitage office at 559 N. Hermitage Road was demolished last year, along with the former Freedom Chiropractic next door, to make way for a new building with more space and improved amenities.

The new building is nearing the end of construction, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively planned for the last week of May, Carangi said.

Until then, operations are continuing at the credit union's Sharon location and a temporary office in the Kohl's plaza in Hermitage.

Carangi said the credit union has 30 employees, which will be increased to 35 soon as the union adds more member service tellers and loan personnel.

More hires could come in the future depending on the credit union's need, since the credit union opens 100 new accounts every month. The credit union has about 12,000 members.

With the increased use of technology, the credit union's online mobile banking service experiences more than 60,000 logins and transactions every month, Carangi said.

"In the nine years that I've been here, we've doubled in terms of our assets and members," Carangi said.

The annual meeting also honored some of Mercer County's graduating seniors, who received various scholarships.

Seven $1,000 Continuing Education Awards were awarded to Giada Bertolasio and Morgan Psznick, Hickory High School; Hannah Golub, Kennedy Catholic High School; Ava Hurl, Sharpsville High School; Cameryn Krecek, Sharon High School; and Madelyn Rose Sheffel, Lincoln Park Performing Arts School.

The seventh $1,000 scholarship was given in memory of Cliff Toth, a past member of the credit union board of directors.

This special scholarship for a student who excels in music and the performing arts went to Nolan Lapikas, a senior at Sharpsville High School.

Honorable mention awards of $100 each were also given to Caroline Buckley, Mark Cattron, Angelo Fromm, Quentin Lee Jr., Noah Ostheimer and Santino Piccirilli, Sharon High School; Caden Buxton, Avery Hanahan and Emma Mild, West Middlesex High School; Danika Lynne Davis, Rylan Dye, Amy Fulcher, Lauren Harkless and Slade Pfadt, Hickory High School; Mackenzie Devine, Jamestown High School; Carter DeJulia, Grace Dorfi and Zoe Dottle, Sharpsville High School; Ja'laija Gregory, Farrell High School; Isaac Hightree and Colton Scales, Greenville High School; and Emma Marsteller, Lakeview High School.

In support of continuing education for youth in the community, the Mercer County Community FCU scholarship awards began in 2000 and has since awarded over $120,000 to area students pursuing an academic, professional, or vocational post-high school education.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.