Credit Unions Team Up to Support Salvation Army

Langley, BCLast summers inaugural Ride Into History featured an entire weekend of fun activities for the whole family including a concert within the walls of the Fort Langley National Historic Site, a poker run and a traditional First Nations banquetall in support of The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope and their mission to end homelessness in our community. This years event, taking place July 26-28, promises to be even more exciting with an all ages concert on Friday evening featuring Steve Elliott as Elvis Presley and The JC Celebration Band paying tribute to Johnny Cash as well as fun family activities, including a carnival, on Saturday. The Ride into History is a weekend long celebration of motorcycling and the history of BC organized by a group of volunteers from the City and Township of Langley, Fort Langley, Kwantlen First Nations, the motorcycle community and the Fort Langley National Historic Site. The goal of the event is to raise money and awareness for The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope, which recognizes that all people have histories and are working towards bettering their futures. Fundraising activities throughout the weekend will include pancake breakfasts hosted by the Fort Langley Lions Club; a motorcycle show-n-shine; Prime Rib dinner (provided by Milestones); and for motorcycle riders, a three hour scenic ride that starts and finishes at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. "The Ride into History promises to be a lot of fun, but it highlights an important issue that affects us all," says Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. "We encourage everyone to come out to this unique event this summer, to support the Gateway of Hope and help those in need in our community." Inspired by a common desire to give back to the communities they serve, three local credit unionsEnvision Financial, Aldergrove Financial Group and Prospera Credit Unionhave once again come together as the title sponsors of this event. "Homelessness continues to be a concern in every community we serve which means it is something that impacts us all," says Bruce Howell, President and CEO of Prospera Credit Union. "As credit unions and co-operatives, it is in our DNA to work together for the good of the community and we are extremely pleased with the opportunity to continue building on our partnership with Envision Financial and the Aldergrove Financial Group in support of The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope which addresses this concern in a straightforward, compassionate manner." "We are so pleased to join forces with our friends at Prospera Credit Union and Aldergrove Financial Group to support Ride into History for a second year," says Shelley Besse, President of Envision Financial. "At Envision Financial, were committed to making a real difference in our local communitiesinvesting both time and funds to achieve positive social change. Thats why weve been proud supporters of The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope since the very beginning." "The Gateway of Hope touches the lives of so many members of our community and makes such a positive and lasting difference in those lives," says Aldergrove Financial Group CEO Gus K. Hartl. "Along with Prospera Credit Union and Envision Financial, we are proud to support the second annual Ride into History event and to be working together again this year to help end homelessness in our community." Serving the community of Langley, The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope is much more than a homeless shelter. In addition to providing emergency shelter and the community meal program, the Gateway of Hope offers training opportunities like the Cooks Training Program and our Community Kitchen Program; family services which include: an income tax service program, a school supply program, clothing and furniture for fire victims and emergency clothing and food for those in need; and the Opportunities Program which supports residents as they learn life and employment skills. About The Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope The Gateway of Hope opened its doors to the community of Langley in November 2009. The vision for the facility was born from the desire by many groups to address the needs of the homeless and the community in a comprehensive way. The Gateway, located just off the Langley Bypass, is open to the public seven days a week. About the credit union partnership Inspired by the United Nations declaration of 2012 as the "International Year of Co-operatives" and motivated by the theme "Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World," a trio of local British Columbia based credit unionsAldergrove Financial Group, Envision Financial and Prospera Credit Unionjoined together to form an innovative partnership that clearly demonstrates how, by working together, we can all have a greater impact and do more for the communities we serve. Using their combined resources, these three credit unions are providing much-needed sponsorship support to non-profit programs such as the Salvation Armys Gateway of Hopeto ensure that these vital programs are able to continue to offer their valuable services.