Janelle Bekkering Teams Up With #BrightWayForward in Calgary

Tangerine's Community Gym empowers local youth while marking commitment to Alberta communities

CALGARY, June 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Today Tangerine was joined by former Canada Basketball player and Alberta-native, Janelle Bekkering, at its first Community Gym event in Calgary. As part of Tangerine's sponsorship and community investment program, #BrightWayForward, this event provided a day of empowerment and basketball skills training for local youth while also introducing long-term partnerships with local charitable organizations in Alberta.

Taking place at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, today's Community Gym engaged more than 170 youth ages 9-13 in the Calgary area through training led by Basketball Alberta, Canada Basketball and Janelle Bekkering herself. The day also featured an inspiring performance by UNITY Charity, a group dedicated to empowering youth through positive expression.

Tangerine's #BrightWayForward program focuses on building up confident, optimistic individuals to become the backbones of strong communities. By working with charitable partners across the county, Tangerine is able to bring this to life through a variety of programs focused on empowerment, including the basketball and leadership training featured at the Community Gym today.

"At Tangerine we pride ourselves on helping Canadians live better lives and our #BrightWayForward program allows us to deliver on this by giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Ian Cunningham, Chief Operating Officer at Tangerine. "Calgary is home to one of our Café locations, and we're proud to be working with incredible local partners that provide Albertans with the skills, self-confidence and resources they need to take positive action in their community."

Tangerine's #BrightWayForward program will support the following charitable organizations in Alberta:

• Basketball Alberta - committed to growing the sport of basketball in Alberta through inclusive programming and partnerships in support of the game.
• United Way of Calgary and Area – gives individuals and families the opportunity to reach their potential and improve their quality of life.
• Community Kitchen Program of Calgary – works to reduce hunger by empowering local residents with healthy food and nutritional education.
• Boys and Girls Club of Calgary – provides a safe, supportive place where children and youth can develop self-esteem, confidence and skills for life.
• YMCA Calgary - offers quality programs and services that give children, youth and adults the opportunity to belong, grow, thrive and lead.

This is Tangerine's fifth Community Gym following previous events in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. You can learn more about Tangerine's sponsorship and community investment activities, at brightwayforward.ca.

In addition to efforts to empower Albertans through its #BrightWayForward program, Tangerine is also supporting the efforts of the Canadian Red Cross and their response to the wildfires in Fort McMurray Alberta. Since May 6, 2016, Tangerine Clients have donated almost $200,000 through their online Accounts with all funds going directly to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal. Tangerine has also made a $50,000 donation. To donate, Clients can simply log in at tangerine.ca and click "I want to help" from now until Friday, June 10, 2016.

About Tangerine
Tangerine is a direct bank that delivers simplified everyday banking to Canadians. With nearly 2 million Clients and close to $38 billion in total assets, we are Canada's leading direct bank. Tangerine offers banking that is flexible and accessible, products and services that are innovative, fair fees, and award-winning Client service. From no-fee daily chequing and high-interest savings accounts, Credit Card, GICs, RSPs, TFSAs, mortgages and mutual funds, Tangerine has the everyday banking products Canadians need. With over 1,000 employees in Canada, our presence extends beyond our website and Mobile Banking app to our Café locations, Pop-Up locations, Kiosks and 24/7 Contact Centres. Tangerine was launched as ING DIRECT Canada in 1997. In 2012 it was acquired by Scotiabank, and operates independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
For more information, visit tangerine.ca

SOURCE Tangerine

Image with caption: "Tangerine Chief Operating Officer, Ian Cunningham, and former Canada Basketball player Janelle Bekkering talk about the positive impacts of sport at Tangerine’s first Community Gym in Calgary today. (CNW Group/Tangerine)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160604_C8568_PHOTO_EN_706346.jpg

Image with caption: "Alberta-native Janelle Bekkering participated in basketball skills and empowerment programming for over 170 youth at Tangerine's first Community Gym event in Calgary today. (CNW Group/Tangerine)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160604_C8568_PHOTO_EN_706348.jpg

Image with caption: "Today Tangerine was joined by over 170 youth for basketball and empowerment programming at its first Community Gym event in Calgary. (CNW Group/Tangerine)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160604_C8568_PHOTO_EN_706350.jpg

Cayley Kochel, Tangerine, 416-497-5157 ext. 4013, [email protected]