News Post

Western Communities Foundation building Canadian communities

Jan. 10, 2019

High River, Alberta – The Western Communities Foundation (WCF) is thrilled to announce 2018 was a banner year with over $300,000 in grants and bursaries being awarded.

The WCF presented 20 infrastructure grants ($5,000 each) across Western Financial Group’s network. Leaders thanked employees and supporters after surpassing $3.1 million raised since 2002.

Funds from the annual Support the Cause walk and other events are given out via student bursaries ($84,000 in 2018), matching grants (over $48,000), infrastructure grants ($100,000 in 2018) and goal achiever grants ($69,000).

Western’s charitable arm, the WCF, funds projects supporting public health, public housing, education and recreation where Western operates and, in many cases, employees live, work and play.

“Every donation, large or small, builds our communities” Laurette LaPlante, director for the registered charity, said. “We’re so pleased to be able to give back. Thank you to our partners and sponsors.”

2018 Infrastructure Grant Recipients:

Alberta:

• Bow Island – Municipal library solarium
• Hanna – Upgrades to town’s outdoor ice rinks
• Medicine Hat Downtown – HALO, purchase of a platform dolly to move the helicopter
• Morrin – Purchase of new turnout gear for the village fire department
• Peace River – Peace River SPCA, expansion of facility

British Columbia:

• Aulds Road – Island Crisis Care Society, expansion of Samaritan House
• Broadmoor – Richmond Fire Hall #1, construction of a new fire hall
• Cranbrook (CR2)- KEYSA Indoor Sports Facility
• Creston – Creston Valley Trails Society – Riverside Park Project
• Fort St John – Hospital Foundation specialized equipment
• Golden – Hospital/EK Foundation for Health, upgrades to facility
• Victoria - Help Fill a Dream, improvements and upgrades to current office equipment
• Richmond Center – Grauer Elementary School new playground
• Sidney – Sidney Elementary School, Multi Generational Outdoor Activity Centre
• Tillicum – Upgrades to Discovery School Playground
• West Broadway – Moving Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children to Oak Street campus
• Williams Lake – Gavin Lake Community Education Society, canoe storage building

Manitoba:

• Gilbert Plains – New equipment at the recreation complex
• Souris – Refurbishing Crescent Avenue road project

Saskatchewan:

• Estevan – Estevan Humane Society, construction of a new facility

Western Communities Foundation

Founded in 2002, the Western Communities Foundation gives back to the communities where Western employees live and work, and fosters employee pride and engagement. The Foundation’s core donation programs include community Infrastructure Grants, Western Inspirational Award for graduating high school students and community projects through our matching grant and goal achiever programs. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has raised more than $3.1 million to support local communities.

Western Financial Group Inc.

Western, a diversified insurance services company, is focused on creating security and has provided over one million Canadians the right protection for more than 100 years. Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western provides personal and business insurance services through 179 locations, its affiliates and a variety of connected channels, with an engaged team of approximately 1,800 people. Western is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company.

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