B.C. credit unions rally financial support for Alberta flood relief and rebuilding efforts

Six credit unions donate $245,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund on behalf of members

VANCOUVER, June 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Six B.C. credit unions have joined forces to provide $245,000 through the Canadian Red Cross to assist with flood relief and rebuilding efforts in neighbouring Alberta.

The credit unions are Coast Capital Savings, Vancity, First West, Prospera, Westminster Savings and Interior Savings. The CEOs of the six financial institutions issued the following joint statement about the decision to come together to help:

		"As credit unions, we share a common cooperative heritage and the difficult, heartbreaking events in Alberta call on us to come together in that cooperative spirit to help our fellow Canadians. Many of our sister credit unions in Alberta and other parts of the nation have also pitched in with financial assistance, affirming the longstanding commitment of the Canadian credit union family to not only invest in our communities, but to also help rebuild it, and assist individuals, families and businesses get back on their feet after a tragedy such as this.
		"Given the significant damage caused by the floods, rebuilding and restoration will take some time, but we are confident that the courage and solidarity shown by Albertans will see them through. As ongoing support will be needed, we encourage our members to join us in assisting Albertans by making a financial contribution directly to the Red Cross."
			Tracy Redies, President & CEO, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO, Vancity Savings Credit Union Launi Skinner, CEO, First West Credit Union Bruce Howell, President & CEO, Prospera Credit Union Gavin Toy, President & CEO, Westminster Savings Credit Union Kathy Conway, President & CEO, Interior Savings Credit Union

Kimberley Nemrava, Director, B.C. & Yukon Red Cross, said the donation from the B.C. credit unions will assist in providing residents with immediate needs such as shelter, water and food, adding that the organization is also helping the people of Alberta with long-term needs such as clean-up efforts.

"Canadian Red Cross is encouraged by the ongoing support from the business community because our work on the ground in Alberta depends on the generosity of the public," Nemrava said. "Given the significant devastation caused by the floods, the road to recovery will be long, but not impossible, and we continue to urge businesses across the country to join the Red Cross and the people of Alberta in this effort."

Credit union members can donate to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta floods Fund by visiting http://bit.ly/13b9Pid, a dedicated page set up for that purpose.

SOURCE: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union

Erin McKinley
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Coast Capital Savings
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

Lorraine Wilson
Media Relations Consultant
Vancity Savings Credit Union 
Phone: [phone] 
E-mail: [email protected]

Cheryl Shaw
Manager, Public Relations & Communications
First West Credit Union 
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

Erin Nesci
Manager, Community & Public Relations
Prospera Credit Union
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

Cathryn Tucker
Manager, Corporate and Internal Communications
Westminster Savings Credit Union
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

Georgina Parton
Manager, Communications & Community Relations
Interior Savings Credit Union
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]