In celebration of International Credit Union Day, we wanted to take a look back on 2022 and celebrate all of the amazing things that Canadian credit unions have done in their communities this year.
International Credit Union Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948, bringing people together from credit unions around the world to celebrate their cooperative history, achievements and members. To commemorate this special day, we wanted to reflect on some of the things that Canadian credit unions have done in their communities in 2022. We can’t mention all of the amazing credit union stories in this blog but keep on reading to discover stories from a few of Canada’s credit unions.
Conexus Credit Union
To stimulate Saskatchewan’s economy, Conexus Credit Union strived to help small businesses this year. They also donated $750 000 to help the families of children in Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Conexus Credit Union’s support for the community demonstrates their dedication to serving local members and causes.
Interior Savings
Interior Savings provided students with immense support this year by starting a Million Dollar Bursary program for young members and offering nine $1,000 scholarships to 2022 graduates. Additionally, their Community Investment Fund supported community projects across British Columbia, including a library dedicated to providing resources to youth with ADHD and their families.
East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKCCU)
EKCCU matched local donations of $1,000 for Hometown for Hunger, an event in Cranbrook, BC to help provide meals to school children and the community. EKC also donated $5,000 to Red Cross during the BC floods late November of last year.
Alberta Central
The credit unions of Alberta Central also joined together to offer support during the tragic BC floods, which reminded many Albertans of the flooding that faced their communities in 2013. Collectively, more than $40,000 was donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
Assiniboine Credit Union
B Lab, a nonprofit striving to positively impact communities across the world recognized Assiniboine Credit Union on their 2022 Best For The World™ Lists. The value and purpose that Assiniboine Credit Union sees within their local community, members and employees is what earned them this recognition.
Libro Credit Union
In August, Libro Credit Union announced that they would be donating $140,000 over the next three years to Habitat for Humanity. “Housing and financial resilience are cornerstone pillars at Libro, we have a purpose beyond profit, and we firmly believe that success comes from partnerships and collaboration” – Jordan Moat, Regional Manager at Libro Credit Union.
Affinity Credit Union
Affinity Credit Union donated to the Lampman Therapeutic Park, which is currently under construction in Lampman, Saskatchewan. Set up across from a senior’s home, this park is intended to bring relief to the community after the pandemic and serve as a safe gathering place for the elderly and their families.
Westoba Credit Union
Earlier this spring, the world’s largest Inuit art collection was revealed at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG). There was a mobile component to the collection, and Westoba Credit Union offered their Winnipeg branch as a tour stop for the art.
Flin Flon Credit Union
Flin Flon Credit Union provided almost $13,000 in grants to enhance the local community. Recipients of the grant money include: the Association for Community Living, the Community Wellness Collective Phantom Lake Soccer Club, Flin Flon Ski Club, Northern Growing Abilities, and more.
Motor City Community Credit Union (MCCCU)
MCCCU donated $25,000 to a city trail system in Windsor Ontario, known as Clairview Bikeway. The money is being used to improve accessibility and tree coverage for the trail. The Chief Executive at MCCCU, Robert Griffith, noted that while the credit union focuses on financial wellbeing, physical health is an important part of the community.
1st Choice Savings and Credit Union (1st Choice Savings)
1st Choice Savings wanted to acknowledge the strong tie between agriculture and the Albertan economy this past year. To support the farming community. 1st Choice Savings provided $55,000 to students in Agriculture Science at Lethbridge College.
CCUA Award Winners
In May 2022, the National Conference for Canada’s Credit Unions was held in Niagara Falls. The CCUA awarded the following credit unions:
- Coast Capital Savings: Winner of the Best of Marketing Award for their We’re For Real™
- East Coast Credit Union: Winner of the Environment Social Governance Award for their Andrews Low Carbon Community Initiative, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint and promote an active lifestyle for their community.
- First West Credit Union: Winner of the Learning Excellence Award for their Federal Continuance Employee Training.
Congratulations to these winners, and to all the Canadian credit unions who positively impacted their communities and members this year!
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