Co-operators Life Insurance Company donates more than $100,000 to 17 local
charities

REGINA, SK, July 13 /CNW/ - Co-operators Life Insurance Company demonstrated its dedication to the community this morning by announcing more than $107,000 worth of donations in support of 17 local charitable organizations.

The donations stemmed from three of the organization's long-standing community programs: Annual Regina Food Bank donation, Employee Directed Donations program and Community Donations program.

"Co-operators Life is proud to support all of these worthy causes," said Kevin Daniel, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Co-operators Life Insurance Company. "Our employees are the driving force behind our charitable efforts, and it is their dedication that allows us to help these organizations to continue providing valuable services to our community."

Co-operators Life kicked off the morning with its annual summer donation to the Regina Food Bank of 30,000 boxes of macaroni and cheese. This year's donation increases its 11 year total to over 300,000 boxes.

"The Regina Food Bank is thankful and honored to once again receive this significant donation from The Co-operators. Summer is a challenging time each year for the food bank but this year the number of people we serve has grown significantly. This donation will ensure no one goes hungry in our community this summer," said Steve Compton, Director of Operations, Regina Food Bank.

Ten local charities were also presented with more than $45,000 in donations from The Co-operators Foundation's Directed Donations program. This program has a 22-year history of providing employees with the opportunity to direct $75 of company funds to a local charity of their choice.

"Hope's Home is honoured and immensely grateful for all that The Co-operators does for our organization. Their contribution ensures our medically fragile children and families receive exceptional support in the community thanks to our unique model of care," said Stephanie Kohlruss, Hopes Home and one of the recipients of the Directed Donations program.

The third group of charitable recipients was selected through the organization's Community Donations program. Qualifying charities must submit an application and fall within one of the organization's four areas of community focus: Health, Youth and Education, Community Sustainability and Co-operatives.

"One in six people in Saskatchewan live with arthritis," stated Erin Marchuk, Sr. Development Officer - The Arthritis Society. "Through the generous support we are receiving from The Co-operators Community Donations program, we will be organizing "Moving Beyond Arthritis" public forums throughout Saskatchewan. These forums will allow people to hear arthritis care specialists speak on various arthritis related topics."

Representatives from the following organizations were in attendance at the event:

    
    -   Regina Food Bank
    -   The Alzheimer Society
    -   Children's Wish Foundation
    -   Chili for Children
    -   Hopes Home
    -   MS Society
    -   Regina Palliative Care
    -   Souls Harbour Mission
    -   The Chris Knox Foundation
    -   YWCA Big Sisters
    -   Big Brothers of Regina
    -   Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan
    -   The Arthritis Society
    -   Canadian Red Cross
    -   Adult Centre for Employment Readiness and Training/Regina Food Bank
    -   Regina Home Economics for Living Projects Inc.
    -   Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities
    

About Co-operators Life Insurance Company

Co-operators Life Insurance Company, with its head office in Regina, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Co-operators Group Limited. Through its operating subsidiaries, The Co-operators offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36.9 billion in assets under administration. It is owned by 47 Canadian co-operatives, credit union centrals and like-minded organizations. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Glenn Bohay, Manager, Community Relations, Co-operators Life Insurance Company, Phone: [phone], [email protected]