Valley First launches $1 million community initiative to help our communities thrive  

PENTICTON, B.C. – Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union is helping to bring $1 million dollars of community support to British Columbia communities in 2021. Their Simple Generosity program will grant money to recipients in four key areas of family, community, education and business. The $1 million investment is an effort to celebrate and encourage local economic and individual resilience.

“Throughout our organization's history, we’ve been able to find unique ways to support our communities and the people who call them home, just as we do,” says Angela Brown, Head, Brand Engagement at First West Credit Union. “On the heels of one of the most challenging years in recent memory, we feel this program is an evolution of this support and another way that we can continue to use our financial cooperative’s organizational strength as a catalyst to help our communities thrive.”

The first phase of the campaign helps families get further ahead and has already awarded $49,000 to individuals and non-profits. Applications remain open until May 17 and people who would like to participate can do so by commenting on the Simple Generosity posts on Valley First’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

To enter, commenters will be asked to tell Valley First about the good things that their family does to thrive together. Comments that are selected throughout the campaign as “inspiring ideas” by a review panel will receive a surprise for their family, valued at up to $2,500. Plus, their idea will inspire more donations to community organizations.

Valley First will continue supporting the $1 million dollars giving campaign going all year with a subsequent focus on:

·Thriving Communities, May 25 to July 31

·Thriving Minds: Lifelong learning, August 10 to September 23

·Thriving Businesses, October 4 to November 29

For more information, please visit valleyfirst.com/generosity.

About Valley First

Valley First is a premier provider of banking and investment services for residents and businesses in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys. As a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union with 46 branches throughout the province, Valley First brings innovative products, an extensive branch network and local decision making to the banking experience. For more information on Valley First, visit www.valleyfirst.com.