Record 50 Infrastructure Grants awarded by Western Financial Group

Western Financial Group - Western Canada's largest insurance brokerage network (CNW Group/Western Financial Group)

Funds support local projects aimed at strengthening communities in Western Canada

HIGH RIVER, AB, Dec. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Western Financial Group (Western), through its charitable arm, the Western Communities Foundation, has awarded a record 50 infrastructure grants totaling $250,000 for 2016. The number of grants awarded this year increased from 40 awarded in 2015. Each $5,000 grant will go toward various projects supporting public health, public housing, education, and recreation in the communities where Western operates. In accordance with the program guidelines, grants must be awarded to municipalities or registered charities.

Funds for the infrastructure grants are raised by employees of Western through an annual Support the Cause Day Walk and other charitable ventures. Winners are then chosen from a pool of deserving nominees put forth by each office.

"We are beyond excited that our budget allowed us to add an additional 10 grants this year. These communities support us, and we love that we are able to support them in return," said James Bond, Executive Chairman of the Western Communities Foundation.

2016 Grants include:

Alberta

Barrhead	Community pool
Bashaw	Volunteer fire department - new rescue unit
Bassano	Curling rink - repairs
Bow Island	Senator Gershaw School - greenhouse project
Brooks	New library - shelving and furnishings
Clive	Clive School - greenhouse project
Cold Lake	Lakeland Humane Society
Coleman	New mobile stage for community use
Hanna	City of Hanna - upgrade to Arena
High River	Notre Dame School - outdoor seating
Mayerthorpe	New splash park
Red Deer	City of Red Deer - new downtown arena
Turner Valley	Boys & Girls Club - new bike track
Vermilion	Community hall - sound system
Wainwright	Wainwright Elementary School - new playground

British Columbia

Coquitam	Tri-cities - dialysis unit upgrade
Coronation	City of Coronation - new seating area for the swimming pool
Cranbrook	East Kootenay Regional Hospital - MRI machine
Cranbrook	Idlewild Park - dam replacement & park upgrades
Duncan	Chemainus Elementary School - playground equipment
Fernie	Tom Uphill Manor – facility upgrades
Fruitvale	Fruitvale Elementary School - new playground
Golden	Community park – upgrade washroom structure
Houston	Child care facility - rebuild & expansion
Lake Country	Okanagan Rail Trail
Nanaimo	Uplands Park Elementary School - playground
Nanaimo	Eden Gardens - new facility for dementia patients
Richmond	Homma Elementary School - courtyard upgrade
Salmo	Salmo Community Golf Course - facility and ground upgrades
Sidney	Tulista Skatepark
Smithers	Field house replacement and playground equipment
Sooke	Fred Miln Field - grass replacement
Sparwood	New community skatepark
Surrey	Peace Arch Hospital - emergency room expansion
Surrey	Pacific Heights Elementary School - playground replacement & equipment
Vanderhoof	New swimming pool
Victoria	View Royal Elementary School - playground replacement
Victoria	Colwood Creek Water / Spray Park
Victoria	Little Waves Daycare - upgrade for deck & handicap access
Victoria	Glanford School - playground replacement
Victoria	Westshore Family Centre - playground upgrade
Victoria	Victoria Native Friendship Centre - new playground at community centre

Manitoba

Brandon	New women's home for those struggling with addictions
Gilbert Plains	Electronic sign for community events
Roblin	Roblin Swimming Pool - stair replacement
Winnipeg	Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - hospital & education Centre

Saskatchewan

Estevan	Habitat for Humanity
LeRoy	Humboldt District Hospital - horizon clip applicator for operating room
Weyburn	Weyburn Humane Society - shelter upgrade
Wolseley/Glenavon	Glenavon Curling Rink – upgrade / ceiling repair

About Western Financial Group and the Western Communities Foundation

Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance company that serves more than 800,000 customers across western Canada. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western provides personal and business insurance services through more than 162 office locations and affiliates. With a skilled team of approximately 1,900 employees, Western is committed to building the strongest insurance brokerage network in Western Canada. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada.

The Western Communities Foundation was founded by Western Financial Group in 2002 as a non-profit organization under the Income Tax Act of Canada (Registration #87030 2619 RR0001). The Foundation's core donation programs include community infrastructure grants, exceptional achievement bursaries for graduating high school students, and matching grants. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has raised more than $2 million to support the communities in which Western Financial Group operates.

SOURCE Western Financial Group

For further information: Dena DeGrofft, Communications Manager, Western Financial Group, Phone: [phone] ext. 516 Cell: [phone], [e-mail], www.westernfinancialgroup.ca

Related Links

http://www.westernfinancialgroup.ca