National Preparedness Month: Americans Stand Ready Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month. Since 2004, the campaign has taken the month to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. This year’s theme is, “Americans Stand Ready.” The theme reflects the spirit of unity, resilience and resourcefulness that make our country strong. It’s a reminder that each of us can make a difference by taking proactive steps before a disaster strikes, and encouraging loved ones to do the same, Americans can contribute to the safety and security of the entire nation. Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and sometimes without warning. How To Prepare Your Finances For An Emergency Here are a few key steps to help you get started: 💰 Build an Emergency Fund Start setting aside what you can for unexpected expenses. 📱 Stay Connected With Digital Banking Make sure you can access your accounts even when you can’t reach a branch. 💵 Keep Emergency Cash Keep some cash available in case cards or ATMs aren’t working. 💳 Consider Direct Deposit Keep your money accessible even when normal routines are disrupted. 🔒 Protect Financial Information Keep important financial documents organized and stored securely. 🛡️ Protect Yourself From Scams Be cautious of unexpected requests for personal or financial information. Be Ready Before an Emergency Happens Emergencies don’t always come with much warning. Severe weather, power outages, flooding and other unexpected events can disrupt everyday life quickly. September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals and families to take simple steps now to be better prepared when the unexpected happens. That includes knowing the risks in your area, making a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit and preparing financially. Don’t Forget About Financial Preparedness Flashlights, batteries, food and water may be the first things that come to mind when you think about emergency preparedness, but your finances should be part of your plan, too. FEMA recommends preparing for the financial impact of an emergency by building savings, organizing important financial information and making sure you have ways to access your money if normal routines are disrupted. Here are a few things you can do now: 💰 Build an Emergency FundUnexpected expenses can add up quickly during an emergency. Start setting aside what you can, even if it’s only a small amount at a time. Consider setting up an automatic transfer to a Solidarity savings account to make saving part of your regular routine. 📱 Make Sure You Have Access to Digital BankingIf you can’t make it to a branch, Digital Banking can help you stay connected to your accounts. Make sure you know your login information and can access your accounts from your phone or computer before you need to. 💵 Keep Some Emergency CashDuring an extended power or network outage, ATMs and card-processing systems may not be available. FEMA recommends keeping some cash in a secure location as part of your emergency preparations. The amount should be based on your family’s basic needs, such as food and gas. 💳 Consider Direct DepositFEMA recommends direct deposit as part of financial preparedness. Having your paycheck deposited electronically can help you continue receiving and accessing your money even when getting to work or a financial institution may be difficult. 🔒 Protect Important Financial InformationKeep important financial documents and account information organized and stored securely. FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit recommends gathering important financial documents and contacts before an emergency and maintaining secure paper or electronic copies. 🛡️ Protect Yourself From ScamsUnfortunately, emergencies can also create opportunities for scammers. Be cautious about unexpected calls, texts, emails or social media messages asking for personal or financial information. Never share your account information, passwords, PINs or security codes with someone you don’t know. Know What’s Coming In and Going OutKnowing your account balances, recurring bills and automatic payments can make it easier to make financial decisions quickly if your normal routine is disrupted. Solidarity Is Here to HelpFinancial preparedness doesn’t have to happen all at once. A few small steps today can make a big difference when something unexpected happens.If you need help getting started, we’re here. Solidarity can help you establish savings, set up automatic transfers, enroll in Digital Banking, set up direct deposit or simply talk through ways to make your finances more prepared for the unexpected. Emergencies can happen when we least expect them, and a little preparation can make a big difference. We’re sharing the following information and resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you and your family plan ahead, stay informed and be better prepared when the unexpected happens.The following article and preparedness information are provided by FEMA. Get Prepared with FEMA This year’s theme will focus on several distinct ideas that capture how Americans take pride in their ability to protect themselves and their families and work together to recover from disasters: Americans stand ready to uphold our patriotic duty: When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, we can bolster the work our brave first responders do to help people on their worst day.  Americans stand ready to protect our family and friends: We know best how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong. Americans stand ready to help our communities: Taking a proactive approach to get your community ready contributes to the nation’s resilience. Throughout the month of September, the Ready Campaign will share easy, affordable steps to take to stand ready, no matter what comes. Tips include: Be in the know. Make sure you know where to get information when you need it most. Download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources. Make a plan to keep you and your family safe and prepared. The plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information. Build a kit with the

Howard County Kids Fishing Clinic Howard County offers so much in outdoor experiences, and the Fishing Clinic is a great way for kids to be part of it. Participants will spend time learning, exploring, and enjoying nature while building skills they can use for years to come. It’s more than just fishing; it’s about connecting with the outdoors, our community, and each other.  What is it? The Kids Fishing Clinic is a hands-on summer program designed to teach kids ages 7–14 the basics of fishing while getting them outside and connected to nature. Through a series of classroom-style education nights and real on-the-water experiences, participants learn skills like casting, fish identification, water safety, and more—guided by local experts and volunteers. Each child receives their own fishing gear, and the program wraps up with a live fishing tournament, giving kids the chance to put what they’ve learned into action. It’s all about building confidence, having fun, and enjoying everything Howard County has to offer. Who can participate? Open to kids ages 7–14. Participants do not have to live in Howard County. A parent, guardian, or grandparent must attend sign-ups, complete registration, and sign the waiver. It is strongly recommended that kids attend sign-ups to be properly fitted for life jackets they will receive on Joe Ford Night. At least one adult must attend each Classroom Education Night with the child. For safety reasons (weather, illness, etc.), drop-offs are not allowed. Limit of four kids per adult. Kids with perfect attendance are eligible for Grand Door Prizes on Thursday, July 30. Last year’s prizes included an all-expenses-paid walleye fishing trip to Lake Erie, an autographed duck call from Willie Robertson (Duck Commander, Duck Dynasty), and a kayak.  Sign-Ups June 8, 2026 | 6–9 PM (or until 100 kids are registered)Kokomo High School, Door #1 (west entrance facing Lincoln Road)Line forms at 3 PM (please do not arrive earlier)If needed, an additional session will be held June 10 at the same time and locationA big surprise is planned—you won’t want to miss it! Classroom Education Nights (6–9 PM)July 20, 21, 23, 28, and 30 | Same location July 20 – Joe Ford NightGuest speakers: Kelsie Avery, Mike Young, Mayor Tyler Moore, IDNR Tyler Delauder, ICO Logan Harris, ICO William DaleIncludes Joe Ford Award presentation, mayor remarks, DNR and conservation officer presentationsEach of the 100 kids receives gear: rod and reel combo, life jacket, tackle bag, 5-gallon bucket, rain poncho, snap stringer, fishing towel, T-shirt, soft plastics, and a surprise July 21 – Night 2Guest speaker: Chad Howard (kayaks and kayak fishing)Sessions: fish cleaning, catfish and carp fishing, water structures, casting practice, rods and reelsDoor prizes July 23 – Night 3Guest speakers: Sheriff Jerry Asher and Mark Booth (Take Flight – Birds of Prey)Sessions: bass fishing, panfishing, live bait, walleye fishing, casting practiceDoor prizes July 28 – Night 4Guest speaker: Doug Sikora (crappie angler)Sessions: fish cleaning, catfish and carp fishing, water structures, casting practice, knot tyingDoor prizes July 30 – Final NightGuest speaker: John Martino (ice fishing presentation)Sessions: bass fishing, panfishing, live bait, walleye fishing, casting practice, knot tyingEnds with door prizes and Grand Door Prize drawings Graduation TournamentSaturday, August 1, 2026Kokomo Reservoir Park (500 East, Howard County) 5 AM: Boats launch 7 AM: Opening ceremonies (prayer, national anthem, sponsor recognition, rules) 8–11 AM: Fishing (2 kids per boat) 11 AM: Professional weigh-in During and after weigh-in, a large cookout will be prepared by the cooking team (led by Steve Workman) and served by Kokomo Kiwanis for all participants, families, and volunteers. All 100 kids graduate and receive medals. Awards are given for Most Fish, Biggest Fish, and Most Weight (by age group), along with special honors including the Joe Ford Award and the Mental Attitude Award. Click Here To Learn More

Credit Lessons To Teach Your Children Credit doesn’t have to be a difficult concept for kids to grasp. In fact, a lot of the protocol backing credit usage is fairly relatable to kids of all ages. But that’s just it, not all ages are capable of understanding the same credit concepts. Breaking up the concepts throughout the life of an aging child helps to slowly integrate the idea of using credit into their minds—making it easier for them, when they’ve grown, to have a less jarring transition from high school to adult life. Teach Children Credit Basics Grades K–5 1. The Difference Between Credit and Debit Ultimately, the easiest way to explain credit versus debit is by showing kids that credit isn’t owned. Kids start to understand the concept of ownership at a pretty young age. An explanation of credit as little as, “It’s like when little Timmy lends you a pencil, you have it and you can use it, but you have to return it afterward,” would suffice. Though credit might be a little more complicated than that, the most important thing for younger kids to recognize is that using credit means using borrowed money, not personal money. 2. Give & Take Since all children really need to understand is that credit is borrowed money, you can help them by introducing a simple game—one that’s similar to GoFish: ACTIVITY What you’ll need: Playing cards, of any sort, so long as they have the ability to be matched—GoFish cards, normal playing cards, uno cards, etc. Instructions: Tell the kids you’ll be playing a simple borrowing game. Their goal is to get as many matching cards as possible. Have each one start with five cards and put the rest of the cards face down in the middle. Next, instruct the kids to lay their “money” or cards down for everyone to see. Explain to the children that the goal of the game is to have the most matching cards in the group by the time the middle pile runs out or no one can make any more moves. BUT…warn the kids that there are two simple rules. Each turn, a player can choose to “borrow” one card from another pile in the circle or pull from the middle. (This represents the idea of borrowing money or credit.) In order to keep whichever card they take, they must give up one of their cards. (Though the card they give back might be different, reiterate that the lesson is to return a card for a card, no matter that card. This represents paying back credit.) The kid at the end of the game with the most matches wins. Teach Middle Schoolers about Building Credit and Credit Scores Grades 6–8 3. Maintaining a Good Credit Score By this age, students understand that their actions have repercussions. Teaching middle schoolers that a credit score is a grading system for how well they return what they borrow shouldn’t be that far off from what they’re used to hearing. If it helps, you can always write up an example and show them that a score of 300-579 is given to someone who struggles paying back borrowed money, 580-669 is given to someone who is decent at paying back borrowed money, 670-739 is someone who is good at it, 740-799 is someone who is very good at it, and 800-850 is when someone is excellent at it. Credit cards have a limit that sets how much a person can borrow at one time. The better their “grade,” or credit score, the higher limit they’ll be trusted to borrow at a given time. Though they might have a $7,000 limit, that doesn’t mean they should rush to spend it…actually quite the opposite. You see, using a lot of an available balance is bad for a credit score, while using less than 30% is good. It’s also always best to remind middle school kids that it’s good to use a little bit of a credit balance each month and pay it off completely at the end of the month. 4. Building Credit Credit isn’t something that just magically appears…it’s built off of positive credit history or actions someone makes when they start borrowing. It’s important to teach kids that in order to build their credit score, they must first start borrowing. This means opening up a credit line, taking out a loan—whether it’s a student loan or not—etc. 5. ACTIVITY–Using Credit You can help kids practice using credit by allotting them a certain amount of points or fake money each week or month. These points can be used to win little prizes throughout the week or even remedy the absence of a school supply like a notebook or a pencil. Once a student uses all the points for the week, they can be given the option to use points from the following week on credit—so long as they understand they will have to pay them back with their points next week, meaning they won’t be able to use them then. You may even consider charging interest for points or money used on credit. Teach High Schoolers How to Use Credit Grades 9–12 6. Establishing Credit A credit report contains a history of borrowing habits for every credit user. Without a good credit history, vendors have no way of knowing if someone is trustworthy to loan to. Since credit is such a vital part of post-teen life, it’s important for kids to start establishing a credit history as soon as possible. Explain to the students that their credit history begins when they get their first credit card, take out loans, or even piggy-back off their parent’s credit. Meaning, they need to be using it carefully right from the start in order to build up good credit. Here are some ways for them to get started: Find a Job—in order to get a credit card, they’ll need to prove that they have the income to pay back anything they borrow. Apply for a secured credit

Check fraud may sound like an old problem, but it’s still one of the fastest-growing types of financial fraud, and it can affect anyone. While many payments now happen online, millions of people still use paper checks to pay rent, send gifts, make business payments, or cover bills. And any time money is moving, fraudsters are paying attention.   Check fraud has changed over the years. It’s no longer just about stolen checks or forged signatures. Today, criminals use a mix of theft, scams, and technology to steal money and personal banking information.   Understanding what check fraud is and why it’s increasing can help you protect your money and avoid becoming a victim.   What Is Check Fraud?  Check fraud happens when someone uses a check illegally to steal money or gain access to personal and financial information.  That can mean stealing a check from the mail, creating a fake check, changing the details on a real check, or using scams to convince someone to deposit a fraudulent check.  Checks include sensitive information like your full name, address, account number, and routing number. In the wrong hands, that information can be used for more than just one transaction.  And because checks can take time to process, fraud may not be discovered right away.  Why Is Check Fraud Increasing?  One of the biggest reasons check fraud continues to rise is mail theft. Criminals often target residential mailboxes, apartment mailrooms, and public mail collection boxes looking for outgoing payments like rent checks, utility bills or gifts. Once a check is stolen, it can be altered, copied, or used to access personal banking information…turning one stolen envelope into a much larger financial problem.   Checks Still Contain Valuable Information  Checks contain a significant amount of personal and financial information in one place. A single check often includes your name, address, financial institution, account number and routing number. In the wrong hands, that information can be used not only to steal from your account, but also to create counterfeit checks or commit other types of financial fraud. That makes checks especially valuable to criminals looking for easy access to sensitive information.   Scams Are Evolving  Check fraud is no longer limited to physical theft. Scammers now use fake job offers, prize notifications, and online marketplace scams to send fake checks and pressure victims into sending money back.  These scams often create urgency and can look convincing.  Fraud Spreads Faster Online  Social media, online job boards, and digital marketplaces make it easier for scammers to reach more people, especially younger adults.  A fake opportunity can spread quickly and look legitimate.  Who Is Most at Risk?  Anyone who uses checks, or receives them, can be at risk. But some groups may face greater exposure.  Renters and Households Paying Bills by Check: Rent payments and mailed bills often involve large amounts of money and predictable timing, making them attractive targets.  Small Business Owners: Businesses may issue multiple checks each month for payroll, vendors, or operations. More transactions can mean more opportunities for fraud. Older Adults and Seniors: Many older adults still rely on checks for bills, gifts, or charitable giving. They may also be more likely to use the mail regularly, increasing exposure to mail theft. Families Managing Shared Accounts: When multiple people use the same account, unusual activity can be easier to miss if no one is reviewing statements regularly. Younger Adults and First-Time Workers: Younger generations may not write many checks, but they are often targeted through fake job scams, prize scams, and online marketplace scams.  Many of these scams also involve electronic checks, where a scammer sends a fake check digitally or instructs the victim to deposit or transfer funds electronically before the check fully clears.   A scammer may “hire” someone, send a check for supplies or equipment, and ask them to send money back. Later, the check bounces, and the victim is responsible for the lost money.  Why It Matters  Check fraud can create more than just financial loss – it can disrupt your life.  Victims may face:  Unauthorized withdrawals Delayed bill payments Missed rent or utility payments Overdraft fees Account freezes Stress and time spent resolving fraud   For some households, even a temporary loss of funds can create serious challenges.  And in fake check scams, victims may lose money they willingly sent, without realizing the original check was fake.  That’s why awareness matters.  The more you understand about how check fraud works, the better prepared you are to recognize suspicious situations and protect yourself.  Simple First Steps to Protect Yourself  You do not need to stop using checks altogether, but it helps to use them carefully.  Start with these simple habits:  Mail checks from secure locations, like inside the post office Avoid leaving outgoing mail in your mailbox overnight Review your bank account regularly Set up transaction alerts through your financial institution Be cautious of checks connected to job offers, prizes, or urgent requests Contact your financial institution quickly if something feels wrong   Check fraud is growing, but knowledge and simple habits can help reduce your risk.   When you’re aware of things like what check fraud is and how to protect yourself, you continue to grow your financial confidence. If you’re ready to keep building clarity and momentum, take the America Saves Pledge! It’s a simple commitment to save for what matters most to you, one step at a time.    Click Here To Learn More