BUCHANAN — Buchanan Community Schools’ herd of Bucks received a boost in outward school pride this month thanks to a strengthening bond with a local credit union.

Buchanan staff received matching gray zip-up pullovers reading “Buchanan Bucks Staff,” courtesy of Honor Credit Union, which opened its Buchanan branch Jan. 22.

“We’ve been committed to supporting the teachers in our local communities since we first opened our doors as a credit union in 1934,” wrote Stacey Dodson, brand manager of the credit union, which has branches in southwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. “We know our educators put in long hours to help make our future brighter, oftentimes with limited resources and ever-increasing responsibilities.”

She said Buck Pride runs deep in many credit union staff members, who work in Buchanan and either have children in the district or who graduated from Buchanan High School.

Anne Schrader, administrative assistant of Buchanan Middle School, said many district staff are members of Honor Credit Union in turn, making the gift all the more personal.

“We were elated,” she said. “It was so exciting to know that our hometown [credit union] is supporting us, and we are very, very grateful. I’m glad I’m a member of Honor Credit Union.”

After school Tuesday, Schrader and other middle school staff posed for a photo with their new shirts.

Principal Shelby Beasley said she liked the shirts because they could be worn on Fridays, where staff are encouraged to wear Bucks spirit gear, or as part of the usual dress code.

Dodson said the idea to provide Bucks gear came from Honor Credit Union wanting to share in the excitement of small-town school spirit.

“The community of Buchanan provided such a warm welcome when we opened our downtown location, and the school system is an integral part of this close-knit community and serves an important role in the lives of many of our members,” she wrote.

Dodson said Buck pride runs deep at the credit union, and the donation allowed them to share that spirit with others.

Since its January branch opening, Honor Credit Union has supported Buchanan Community Schools through a variety of initiatives it has hosted or taken part in.

Among the most recent was the launch of Buchanan Bucks Student Credit Union at Moccasin Elementary. Children can create an account at the student-run credit union branch inside the school. If they do, $10 will be added to their account, courtesy of Honor Credit Union.

The move was meant to boost financial literacy and saving habits at an early age.

“You can’t start early enough,” Moccasin Principal Michael Dunn said during the student branch’s Oct. 9 opening. “We hear just about how kids come out of school, and they’re still not prepared financially. You see it every day, unfortunately.”

Other initiatives between Honor Credit Union and Buchanan Community Schools includes a $250 cash bonus to teachers who open a checking account as new members, $100 teacher awards, a college scholarship, a blow-up arch at a Buchanan football game and numerous financial donations to the Buchanan community and to Buchanan Schools’ events and organizations.