Surrey, B.C.: Coast Capital Savings has joined ongoing efforts to help victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires with a $10,000 contribution to the Canadian Red Cross.
Coast Capital’s response follows an emergency appeal from the Canadian Red Cross for financial assistance for those displaced by the disaster, which has led to the largest fire evacuation in Alberta’s history. The wildfires have forced 88,000 Fort McMurray residents to seek shelter elsewhere and destroyed about 1,600 structures, according to the Alberta government.
Don Coulter, president and CEO of Coast Capital Savings, said the credit union wants to help with the extensive humanitarian impact of the fires, adding that this is in keeping with the organization’s credit union heritage.
“Our cooperative roots tie us deeply to the wider community and in times of significant hardship such as this, our commitment to corporate citizenship extends beyond our region to wherever help is needed the most,” Coulter said. “As Canadians, we want to help our neighbours in Alberta with immediate needs and we hope our support will assist individuals and families impacted by this unfortunate situation.”
Coulter said the Canadian Red Cross is a longstanding community partner of Coast Capital and that the credit union will continue to explore ways to be involved in the relief organization’s work as the situation on the ground evolves.
Kimberley Nemrava, Vice President, British Columbia & Yukon, Canadian Red Cross, said financial support is critical to the organization’s work in Fort McMurray.
“When you only have time to flee with the clothes on your back, there’s going to be a lot of need - the most basic being food, clothing, and shelter,” Nemrava said. “The Canadian Red Cross is able to help so many people impacted by disasters and emergencies through ongoing partnerships like the one with Coast Capital Savings.”
Nemrava said contributions to the Canadian Red Cross’ relief work in Fort McMurray can be made by visiting the organization’s website (www.redcross.ca), or by phoning 1-800-418.1111.
Coast Capital Savings is Canada’s largest credit union by membership. A recipient of the 2015 “Outstanding Corporation” Giving Hearts Award, the credit union invested $5 million into local communities in 2015, focusing on empowering and engaging youth. Coast Capital is one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club, and an Imagine Canada Caring Company. It has 50 branches serving its 532,000 members in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada's first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
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