The East Kootenay Community Credit Union Community Cash Awards, which aimed to develop healthy and diverse communities, offered local community groups an opportunity to apply for funding. Unlike other funding initiatives, the Community Cash Awards provided EKC members, and the community, the opportunity to ‘invest in’ and select the award winners. All groups are winners, and we truly want to congratulate all of our finalists who did an incredible job raising awareness about the important work they do in the Elk Valley. The Community Cash Awards finalists set up information tables to promote their organization and project at EKC’s AGM. Members and guests voted with their EKC Community Cash dollars.
Here are the recipients of the Community Cash Awards:
Fernie Pets Society
Funds will be used to provide fencing for the established dog park which will increase the safety of the animals and people that utilize the park and surrounding areas. $1,054 was awarded to the Fernie Pets Society.
Fernie Family Community Garden by The Holy Family Church
Funds will be used to increase the accessibility and inclusiveness of the Community Garden for all demographics in the community and support physical health and well being with the connection to nature. $1,103 was awarded to the Fernie Family Community Garden.
Sparwood Farmer’s Market Society
Funds will be used to increase sustainability and engagement of the market as well as provide a venue and growth opportunity for local businesses to contribute to the local economy.
$1,133 was awarded to the Sparwood Farmer’s Market Society.
Elkford Early Years
Funds will be used to purchase equipment and items for activities in the new summer outdoor program for children in the Elkford area. $1,185 was awarded to the Elkford Early Years.
Elkford Arts Council
Funds will be used to install a publicly accessible community art display “Pass in the Clouds”. This piece will engage and involve the community, fostering a connection between neighbors in a shared history and occupation of space that is shared in the valley. $1,345 was awarded to the Elkford Arts Council.
Frank J. Mitchell Elementary School PAC
Funds will be used to increase the amount of playground equipment for both the children of the school and non-school aged children in the community to be used year-round. $2,363 was awarded to the Frank J. Mitchell Elementary School PAC, Community Cash Award Winner.
Each of the groups received $100 from Kootenay Insurance Services (KIS), $500 for attending the AGM as well as the real cash equivalent to the Community Cash they accumulate throughout the event. The group who receives the most Community Cash will also receive an additional $500 in funding.
Sandy Thor-Larsen, Senior Manager, Finance Technology & Administration for Kootenay Insurance Services (KIS) and Amanda Booker, Personal Lines Agent in Sparwood for KIS, an EKC subsidiary supported the event. Thor- Larsen said, “As a member of the credit union family, KIS is committed to our communities. We are happy to contribute an additional $100 to each group. We have been welcomed by the communities in our KIS Sparwood office. We look forward to continuing to support families and businesses in the Elk Valley with their insurance needs.”
CEO Jody Burk adds, “We’re excited that this process provides a fun and inclusive way to involve both EKC members as well as local youth and the community in selecting the Community Cash Awards recipients.”
See more information on the Community Cash Awards here.
