Community Cash Award finalists announced by EKC

The award is offered to local community groups as an opportunity to apply for funding and create awareness for their group.

Jean-Ann Debreceni, EKC Board Chair at a previous Community Cash Awards event — Photo courtesy EKC

East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) has announced the list of finalists for their third Community Cash Award. The Community Cash Award is aimed to develop healthy and diverse communities. It has been offered to local community groups as an opportunity to apply for funding and create awareness for their group. Unlike other funding initiatives, the Community Cash Award provides EKC members, and the community, the opportunity to ‘invest in’ and select the award winners.

According to Jean-Ann Debreceni, EKC Board Chair, “We’re so impressed with the quality of the 14 applications we received for the Community Cash Award. It’s incredible how many community organizations are contributing to the creation of healthy and sustainable communities. It was difficult to select the finalists, however we truly appreciate and thank all of the applicants for their efforts.”

Each of the Community Cash Award finalists will go to the next round which is to set up information tables to promote their organization and project at EKC’s Cranbrook branch (920 Baker St.) April 10th to 14th.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Cranbrook Boys and Girls Club: Impact Youth Cycling Adventures is run by Youth Impact Centre. It is a free program for youth in middle and high school ages 12-18. The program provides fun activities, physical fitness and learning experiences for youth. Impact Cycling Adventures will help fund bicycles, safety equipment, and tools to support group rides. In addition to biking, youth will learn about safety, healthy living and connect to the outdoors.

Cranbrook Community Forest Society: The Cranbrook Community Forest provides an easily accessible opportunity for people to get outdoors for exercise, for a meaningful connection with the local natural environment and for an education destination. Funds will be used for the purchase of educational signage designed to inform the public of how a healthy forest contributes to a healthy environment for nearby communities and the biodiversity of the area.

Cranbrook Garden Club: Cranbrook Garden Club (CGC) has welcomed people who have an interest in gardening, beautification, and appreciation for 25 years. Cranbrook Open Garden Day (OGD) is a one-day self-guided garden and art tour where the public can learn from local gardeners and artists. The funds will be used to bring in a formal speaker to further inspire and educate the public about their own gardens and community beautification projects.

Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club: The Sunrise Rotary “We-Bike” program (new name - formerly iRide) is developing a “Kootenay Kids Cycling Handbook” to augment the program. The cycling program which started in 2016, takes place each Spring in all local elementary schools and is offered to Grade Four students. At the completion of the outdoor on-bike portion of the program each student will receive a copy of this handbook. The handbook will contain information on Cycling Safety, Rules of the Road, Bike Checks & Maintenance, where you can ride your bike, and more!

Rockies Rowing Club: Rockies Rowing Club teaches and trains those interested in the sport of rowing. Rowing can be a life-long leisure activity as it is low impact and provides an opportunity to commune with nature. Access to other lakes increases skill level for rowers and therefore a portable boat and motor are required for safety. Rowing supports safety, fitness, well-being, inclusivity, youth engagement that all make our area a better place to live.

Symphony of the Kootenays: Symphony of the Kootenays (SOTK) mandate is to present live orchestral concert performances and facilitate key cultural and community objectives. These include engaging professional musicians, audiences, and youth to ensure that a valuable and long-standing tradition remains vibrant and viable.

EKC’s Annual General Meeting takes place in Cranbrook on April 27th at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort starting at 6 pm (meeting starts at 7 pm). At the AGM, guests will receive free EKC Community Cash to ‘invest’ with one or more of the community groups of their choice.

Each of the groups will receive $500 for attending the AGM as well as the real cash equivalent of the Community Cash they accumulate throughout the event. The group who receives the most Community Cash will also receive an additional $500 in funding.

CEO Jody Burk adds, “We’re excited to build on our past success. It has proven to be a fun and inclusive way to involve both EKC members as well as local youth and the community in selecting the Community Cash Award recipients.”

During the meeting portion of the event a children’s movie will be shown in another room. Popcorn and limited supervision will be provided for those that would like to attend the meeting. Additional supervision by parents and or caregivers may be required. After the meeting all guests are invited back for the announcement of the winner of the Community Cash Award.

For more information on the Community Cash Award please visit: https://www.ekccu.com/Personal/InOurCommunity/CommunityPrograms/EKCPrograms/CommunityCashAward/