CIBC celebrated a centennial of conducting business in the Columbia Valley by paying it forward to the community.
CIBC branch manager Dawn Hunt presented $3,500 to the Family Resource Centre executive director Pat Cope on Friday, September 25th.
“The celebration was for 100 years in the Invermere community,” said Ms. Hunt. “The original branch, I believe, started in Wilmer and migrated over to this building.”
The tradition of marking a milestone of service to a community has roots within the CIBC culture.
“We look for donations that could be made or ways that we could help in the community,” explained Ms. Hunt. “The reason that I chose (the Family Resource Centre) was because of a former (CIBC) staff member whose mother was quite involved with the organization, so knowing what they can do for the community fit in perfectly with CIBC’s criteria for kids, communities and cures.”
The donation was presented in the CIBC lobby around 12:30 p.m., while clients continued to bank and mingle over slices of cake.
“We’re here to serve,” concluded Ms. Hunt. “We’ve been here for 100 years, and we’re prepared to be here for the next 100 years.”
Ms. Cope and her Family Resource Centre team were “honoured” to accept the donation to the Legacy Fund that helps members from the community both in good and bad times.
“The funds that have come from CIBC will go into our Legacy Fund, which is specifically earmarked for women and children fleeing domestic violence and for our women’s services,” said Ms. Cope. “And individuals who wish to make a donation for our Legacy Fund can earmark funds for other social purposes in the community, so I would really encourage people to support (us) so that we can continue to respond to the needs of the community.”
The Family Resource Centre was established in 1986 and has continued to grow to offer social supports, counselling, housing and employment services to empower the community.
“With the support of organizations like CIBC, our opportunities turn into reality and, more importantly, greater needs are met for our community and people,” said Family Resource Centre chair Sue Rose.