Verve, a Credit Union and the Children's Museum of Fond du Lac teamed up to create "Moola Mania" to use the museum's exhibits to teach children financial literacy in a fun way, April 11, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A partnership between a local children’s museum and credit union is helping kids learn how to responsibly spend, save and share money.
More than 80 fourth-grade students from Lakeshore Elementary School and The Friendship Learning Center attended “Moola Mania” on Thursday.
The event began 10 years ago when Verve, a Credit Union and the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac teamed up to create a fun way to use the museum’s exhibits to teach children financial literacy.
“Promoting financial literacy with the children in our community is a huge pillar in what we believe in at the credit union,” said Amber Bodart, Fond du Lac branch manager at Verve. “Giving back to the community and teaching our kids about finances and education is very important to us.”
Earning, investing and philanthropy were among the topics covered during Moola Mania. Organizers had the students participate in “jobs” around the museum. Among the jobs were artist, architect, navigator, farmer, mechanic, doctor, scientist and even a pizza chef. It was then up to the students to decide what to do with the “money” they earned.
“They sit down and budget it. They decide how much they’re going to spend, how much they’re going to share and how much they’re going to save,” Bodart explained.
All of the funds the students decided to share were matched by Verve and donated to the Fond du Lac Humane Society.
“I’m mostly probably going to give because we’re giving to the humane society and I’m an animal guy,” said 10-year-old Lanson Harrison. He says when he grows up, he wants to become a vet.
“Being a part of this program really empowers the children in our community. It shows how important it is to give back, which really aligns with Verve’s mission,” Bodart said. “We care so much about our community and everything that we do as a non-profit goes back into our community directly. So, teaching the children those values is really, really important to us.”
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