Credit Union Supports Nature's Classroom with $17,000 Donation
September 2, 2014
Langley, BCWith summer in full swing it is not likely that students are thinking about projects from the past school year, but that does not mean their hard work has been forgotten. For students involved with Natures Classroom this past spring, their hard work is literally coming to fruition as this past week was harvest week and the fruits of their labour are now benefitting local charities in the Langley community.�
Funded by a $17,000 donation from Envision Financial, Natures Classroom is a unique community partnership that gives local elementary school students a chance to plant their own vegetable gardens while learning about soil and composting and becoming stewards of the environment and community. This year, six classes from five local schools took part in the 12-week program from Langley Meadows, James Kennedy, R.C. Garnett, Alex Hope and Global Montessori schools.
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"The success weve had with our Natures Classroom program is very rewarding," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at Envision Financial. "Its great to see the program growing year over year and the tremendous impact its had in the community as well." Formed through a partnership between Envision Financial, the Langley Environmental Partners Society and Maples Discovery Gardens, the Natures Classroom harvest has become a much needed support for community programs that often see a drop in food donations throughout the summer months.
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Envision Financial employees had the opportunity to head out in the spring to prepare the beds for the students then again this summer to harvest the vegetables that were planted and nurtured by the students from April to June.
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"Its so great that the Natures Classroom program keeps on giving to the community, even when school is out for the summer," says Stephanie Captein, agriculture coordinator at the Langley Environmental Partners Society. "After seeing the final harvest, its clear that all of the hard work that the students put into their garden earlier this spring has certainly paid off."
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Notably, this summers harvest produced an abundance of wholesome vegetables including 60 bunches of kale, 42 bunches of radishes, 28 heads of lettuce, 27 bunches of swiss chard, 21 bunches of beets, 15 pounds of potatoes,� 12 pounds of carrots, 10 pounds of spinach and mixed greens, two bunches of broccoli and close to a pound of beans.
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In 2013, the Natures Classroom harvest provided several deliveries of fresh produce to support the community kitchen at the Salvation Armys Gateway of Hope in Langley, which serves over 180 meals a day to local community members. This year, the bounty will be split between the community kitchen at the Gateway of Hope and the Langley Senior Resources Society.
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Byrom adds, "The value that students get from participating in programs like Natures Classroom, which teaches them the importance of respecting the environment and giving back to our communities is priceless. Our ability to give them an opportunity to better understand how we can all positively influence our communities is an important life lesson that we hope each student will take with them beyond this program."
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About Envision Financial
Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, with 38 branches and 29 insurance offices throughout the province operating under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For its extensive community involvement, Envision Financial is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. For more information on Envision Financial, visitwww.envisionfinancial.ca.