What started as a pilot project has become an annual event. After a successful inaugural Community Impact Day in 2015, First Credit Union (FCU), First Insurance and Westview Agencies will once again close their branches early so employees can spend an afternoon volunteering and supporting multiple non-profit organizations.
The branches will close at 2 pm on Thursday, June 16. Employees will then meet at various locations across town to volunteer for a range of non-profit organizations for the rest of the afternoon.
“The purpose of our organization is to strengthen the well-being of our members and clients and make a meaningful community impact,” explains Tara Chernoff, FCU marketing and community impact manager. “Community Impact Day is our opportunity to lend a hand and show our gratitude to some of the remarkable non-profit organizations that make an impact in our community every day.”
Projects to be tackled by 88 staff members include building a greenhouse at Powell River Brain Injury Society, painting compost bins at Community Resource Centre and building a fence for Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association (PRTRA).
During last year’s event, brush at PRTRA was cleared where the new fence will now be built.
“Our volunteers were in thick brush pulling out roots and covered in dirt from head to toe, but everyone was smiling,” says Tara. “This year we are helping with the next phase of the project.”
Volunteers will also tend gardens at Willingdon Creek Village and Evergreen Care Unit, and play bingo and crib with residents. Trail maintenance work will be done again this year on Sunshine Coast Trail.
“Last year was an incredible success, not just in terms of the number of projects we completed, but also for our employee engagement,” says Tara. “We give back to our community year-round, but the opportunity to work alongside non-profit organizations painting, weeding, cooking and clearing brush for a few hours was a powerful way to connect with our community.”
In addition to Community Impact Day, FCU and its subsidiaries give back thousands of dollars to the community each year through scholarships, donations, sponsorships, patronage and dividends.
In conjunction with its 77th anniversary on Thursday, June 9, FCU paid patronage in excess of $200,000 to its members, the largest sum ever returned.
“What we give back to our members and the community is growing,” explains Tara. “It grows as our organization grows.”
For more information about Community Impact Day or patronage, readers can go to firstcu.ca.
