Community outreach

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, MCCU awarded a total of J$2,649,000.00 in bursaries and prizes to support students for the 2025/2026 academic year. The awards ceremony was held at Neil’s Auditorium in Mandeville, Manchester.

MCCU presented twenty-five (25) PEP (Primary Exit Profile) bursaries to assist students transitioning to the secondary level, and twelve (12) tertiary students received one-off bursaries to offset tuition, together totalling J$2,425,000.00. First, second and third-place winners of the Primary-Level Essay and Poster Competitions received cash prizes totalling J$224,000.00.

“We take pride in recognizing academic achievement and supporting the holistic development of young people,” said General Manager Mrs. Kerrene Grant Brown, reaffirming MCCU’s commitment to education as part of its mantra, “People Helping People.”

After partnering with the Spur Tree Seventh-day Adventist Church to host its 70th Anniversary Church Service, MCCU continued the partnership with a cash donation towards the church’s Feeding Programme.

Residents from communities in and around the Spur Tree area benefit from this on-going initiative carried out by the church.

As part of its mandate to reach communities and satisfy needs, MCCU donated a total of 60 tablets to drive efficiency among several groups thrust into virtual spaces as a result of the pandemic.

The donations were made on a phased basis over two months, beginning with 20 tablets to the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, then 10 to Frankfield Primary & Infant School, 20 shared among the Manchester Health Department, Mount Olivet Boys’ Home and Bellefield Primary & Infant School, and a final 10 to Garlogie Primary & Junior High School.

With fully functioning devices in short supply, the distributions were highly welcomed and helped beneficiaries continue their academic and professional pursuits.

To creatively showcase the offerings of its Back to School Loan, MCCU hosted a grand Back to School Fair and Outside Broadcast with media partner Mello FM on August 24, 2019, on the greens of Cecil Charlton Park.

Scores of parents and children turned out. Radio personality Ron Muschette was live on location, and attendees enjoyed free school medicals, free back-to-school supplies for over 300 students, and free rides and popcorn for the children. Parents were also assisted to open accounts to access the back-to-school loan special.

For years, MCCU has hosted its annual Soup & Soap Project, with hundreds of beneficiaries across the parish receiving meals and personal-care items that are always timely and well received.

The Credit Union’s last major staging before COVID-19 was at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, KnockPatrick Campus, where hot meals and boxes of bath soap were provided to students and staff. Other beneficiaries in recent times include the Manchester Infirmary, Ebenezer Home for the Mentally Challenged and the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home.

A host of staff members and volunteers took to the Mile Gully Community Centre on Labour Day 2019 for a much-needed beautification project. The centre, which serves several Northwest Manchester districts, was repainted and its grounds thoroughly cleaned.

Bathroom fixtures specially bought for the initiative were handed over for installation, and residents expressed gratitude for the facelift as MCCU representatives interacted with the community.

Just days before Christmas, the faces of children on the Pediatric Ward of the Mandeville Regional Hospital lit up following MCCU’s donation of toys.

The donation was made possible through a toy drive that saw members and staff placing toys and books in designated containers at both the Mandeville and Christiana branches. Hospital nurses and administration expressed gratitude for the brighter Christmas the gifts brought.

With Labour Day activities scaled down due to the pandemic, MCCU used the occasion for a social outreach targeting members in their senior years. The Marketing Department created fifty (50) care packages of food items, which the branches distributed to selected senior members and those facing dire situations.

In keeping with the institution’s aim to satisfy needs, MCCU also erected hand-washing / sanitization stations across the parish as part of its 70th Anniversary celebrations, beginning at Garlogie Primary School on May 28, 2021.

MCCU has consistently supported the annual Men Who Cook event hosted by the Lions Club of Mandeville at Brooks Park. Through sponsorship, MCCU contributes to worthy causes while showcasing its products and services to the wide cross-section of attendees.

Since MCCU’s participation, the service club has raised millions of dollars used to fund needs at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, including a pathology lab to serve the central region.

As part of its 70th Anniversary celebrations, MCCU pledged to erect hand-washing / sanitization stations at institutions throughout the parish.

The first set of stations was installed at Garlogie Primary School on May 28, 2021, with other schools, state homes and public spaces set to benefit.