Credit Union Pledges $43,000 to Community Charities

Langley, B.C. Envision Financial employees have reinforced their passionate commitment to making a real difference in the communities they serve by pledging more than $43,000 to local charities and community organizations in 2014. Causes that will benefit most from Envision Financials generosity include The Full Cupboard, an innovative community program designed to raise food, funds and awareness for food banks in the communities where Envision Financial operates, and the Envision Financial Employees Endowment. Employees have committed to regular payroll deductions totaling more than $43,000 over the next 12 months; this is in addition to their regular giving and volunteer programs. Sarah Golos is one of the many Envision Financial team members who have renewed their pledge to charitable giving because she has seen firsthand how much the funds benefit the recipient organizations and their programs. "I choose to give because of my brother," says Golos.�"In 1990 my brother was born with a rare genetic disease called Fragile X.�He is currently 23 years old with the mental capacity of about a six or seven year old and also has severe autism.�Growing up with Scott helped me learn more than any other experience Ive had in my life and the day he graduated from high school and walked down the aisle at his commencement ceremony was one of the proudest moments of my life." Upon graduation, Golos brother began a new journey at the Tillicum Day Centre in Hope, an adult day centre where life skills are taught and clients are integrated into the community through work and volunteerism. "Since Scott started going to Tillicum Day Centre in 2009, his confidence has improved to a level that I never thought was possible. He works actively in the community and gains more knowledge every day," shares Golos. "The centre is based in an aging building but because of cutbacks, theres no funding to renovate the space. Most of the renos that have been completed there were completed by their clients. I personally give back to Tillicum because of the special place it has in my heart. I continue to see the amazing progress my brother has made since he began his journey there.�The improvement to his quality of life and happiness is evident." Seline Kutan, executive director of the First West Foundationthe charitable branch of Envision Financial that manages the employee giving programsays the generosity from Envision Financial employees is remarkable. "Im continually amazed by the compassion shown by our team at Envision Financial," says Kutan. "Forty-three thousand dollars is a significant amount of money that can go a long way in helping our local communities. This isnt a corporate donation; these funds come directly off employees pay cheques each month and I couldnt be prouder to be a part of a team that cares so much about its community." About Envision Financial Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union with 40 branches and 28 insurance offices throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Kitimat and Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson regions. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has approximately $7.1 billion in assets under administration, over 171,000 members and nearly 1,300 employees. For eight years running, Envision was named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For more information visit www.envisionfinancial.ca