Desjardins Group & Western Financial Group Team Up to Pledge $200,000 to Alberta Flood Victims

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HIGH RIVER, AB, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Desjardins Group (Desjardins) and Western Financial Group (Western) announced today that the organizations are teaming up to donate $200,000 to disaster relief in Alberta after severe flooding devastated several rural and urban communities throughout the province.

In addition to the direct donation, Desjardins will also raise money for the Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund through its caisse network in Quebec and Ontario, while Western has put plans in place to launch an online fundraising system for employees to provide direct support to local communities affected by the floods.

"We are deeply saddened to see how this terrible tragedy has impacted families and communities across Alberta," said Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President, and CEO of Desjardins Group.  "In the coming days and weeks, we encourage all Canadians to donate whatever support they can provide to help with the recovery and rebuilding process."

"The past few days have been a difficult time for so many Albertans and we hope this donation can provide some much needed assistance to those who have been displaced or suffered personal losses," said Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western Financial Group. "Together, we are committed to help rebuild the communities across Alberta where we live and work."

As part of the $200,000 donation, Desjardins and Western will each provide $100,000 to the Western Communities Foundation. The Foundation will in turn work with local municipalities and charitable groups to identify opportunities that will provide direct support to the affected communities.

"In times like these, every little bit of assistance helps," said John Jenner, Executive Director of the Western Communities Foundation. "We will work with our local communities and charitable groups to ensure that this money will go to the people who truly need assistance."

During the flooding crisis, individuals who have experienced flooding damage are encouraged to visit the Western Financial Group claims centre in Okotoks, Alberta (207, 200 Southridge Drive).  The centre is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.  Western claims centres are also open in Medicine Hat and Drumheller to help local residents.

To help ensure all flooding victims receive support, Western will process all flood claims - even if the customer does not have a current insurance policy with the company.

Apart from visiting the Okotoks claims centre, individuals can also call the Okotoks office at 403-938-0777 where an experienced Western Financial Group representative will be able to answer their questions and assist them.

For an emergency claim, individuals can call Western's 24/7 claims line at 1-877-599-7299.

About Western Financial Group 

Western Financial Group is a western Canada based, diversified, financial services company serving more than 600,000 customers. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western provides insurance services through more than 120 office locations and the Internet (www.westernfinancialgroup.ca). With a skilled team of approximately 1,600 employees, and backed by the strong resources of its owners, Western is committed to building the strongest financial services company in Western Canada. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets over $200 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. Best Corporate Citizen in Canada for 2012 and among Canada's Top 100 Employers, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,942 employees and the commitment of 5,268 elected officers. Desjardins members and the general public are invited to visit Desjardins Group's education and cooperation program website at www.desjardins.com/co-opme.

SOURCE: Western Financial Group

Eric Michalko
Manager - Sponsorships, Digital Marketing & Public Relations
Western Financial Group
Phone: [phone], ext. 524
Cell: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Information (for journalists only):
Nathalie Genest
Spokesperson
Desjardins Group
[phone] or 1 [phone], ext. 7275
[email protected]