There is a bond and responsibility of care, inclusion and support that exists within a community. As a credit union, that’s a role we take to heart.
In fact, on October 20th, credit unions around the world will be celebrating International Credit Union Day by reflecting on the impact credit unions have had and honoring the employees, members and organizations who are helping make our communities strong.
Here at home, we’re marking the day with what we call our Day of Difference. On October 20th, our branches will open up at 9:30 am with treats and gifts for members. Then, at 2:00 pm, we’ll close our doors a little early and over 500 employees will fan out across 14 communities from Osoyoos to Clearwater to lend a helping hand to those community organizations who work tirelessly for the benefit of others.
A New $10,000 Twist
This year, we’re excited to announce a new twist to inspire a wave of local good across all of our communities, and we hope you will join us!
We’re giving $100 to 100 people to use for good in our communities. It could be buying coffees for strangers, donating to the local food bank or creating a care box for someone in need – the possibilities are endless.
Starting on October 20, 2016 sign up for our $10,000 Local Give by going to www.localgive.eventbrite.ca. Tell us about your planned act of local good and, if you’re among the first 100 qualified applicants, we’ll provide you with the money to make it happen. Now that’s local money for local good!
We hope you’ll join us on the 20th, whether it’s in our branches for treats and gifts, by registering to participate in our $10,000 Local Give, or perhaps we’ll bump into one another. Watch for our blue shirts while we’re out lending a hand in the community.
Here are a few of the places you’ll find us volunteering on our Day of Difference:
- Ashcroft: Indoor and outdoor maintenance plus painting at the Ashcroft HUB Society Fitness Centre.
- Barriere: Assisting the Barriere Food Bank.
- Chase: Cleaning and organizing at the Chase and District Museum & Archives.
- Clearwater: Cleaning the community room at the Dr Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
- Kamloops: Yard maintenance at the Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association, Garden Gate Open Door Group, and the BC Wildlife park. Assembling food kits for the Kamloops Food Bank and assisting Literacy in Kamloops with their Bright Red Bookshelf program.
- Kelowna: Garden work, cleaning, constructing and/or baking for the following organizations: Benvoulin Church Site, Central Okanagan Heritage Society, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Blood Services, Inspire Health, Arion Therapeutic Farm, Central Okanagan Hospice Association, Kelowna Safety Council, Hands in Service, The Clubhouse Farm, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
- Lake Country: Bathing horses and yard cleanup for the Old Friends Canada Horse Rescue.
- Lillooet: Helping create a Hallway of Heroes with the Lillooet Legion.
- Merritt: Cleaning up the garden at the Nicola Valley Community Gardens.
- Okanagan Falls: Planting perennials and general yard work at the Blasted Church Heritage Site.
- Oliver: Helping out at the Sunnybank Retirement Centre.
- Osoyoos: Sorting bulk food for the Osoyoos Food Bank.
- Vernon: Helping the Upper Room Mission with their Memorial Dinner.
- West Kelowna: Yard maintenance for Gellatly Nut Farm and Silver Lake Camp.