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Daybreak Program Bus & Award
Winner CRANBROOK, BC… Just a short few months ago, a traffic accident played a huge role in the loss of an important piece of equipment for Interior Health’s Daybreak Program which is operated out of the Dr. F. W. Green Home. However, thanks to funding assistance from East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKCCU) the outcome has a happy ending. In April, EKCCU hosted its inaugural event selecting East Kootenay Foundation for Health as the recipient of their first $25,000 EKCCU Community Award. Receiving the EKCCU Community Award was a key component for EKFH and Interior Health in completing the funding to purchase a new bus to help many seniors living in Cranbrook and Kimberley.
L-R: Jeff Betker (CBK/KBY Residential Manager), Brad Wood (Daybreak Activity Worker), Hardy Nielsen (EKFH Chair), Trish Saliken (Daybreak Bus), Mari Thomas (Daybreak Program Coordinator), Diane Baher (EKCCU Senior Manager of Cranbrook Services) and Marilyn Cumming (Executive Assistant EKCCU) pose beside the arrival of the Daybreak Program Bus “On behalf of the seniors in Cranbrook and Kimberley we wish to thank the members of EKCCU for voting for the Daybreak Bus. The new bus means that we can now pick up seniors confined to their homes and transport them to programs and events in the community. This is an important facet of care as it reduces their sense of isolation and provides them with connections to the community and the opportunity to make new friends. It also allows for health observation and assessment as necessary,” explains Mari Thomas, Daybreak Program Coordinator. “The Daybreak Program also provides much needed respite care for caregivers looking after their loved ones by allowing our Daybreak Team to look after them for the day. Many of our clients have already had an opportunity to ride and take adventures on the new bus and have expressed their gratitude for its return on a daily basis,” adds Thomas. Without the bus, the Daybreak Program may have been shelved or have seen the many services that grant seniors the freedom to access social interaction and recreational opportunities diminished significantly. East Kootenay Foundation for Health is grateful for being selected the EKCCU Community Award recipient. EKFH also recognizes the importance of the causes that were represented by the other five organizations who were vetting for the EKCCU Community Award. EKFH encourages the public to not forget about their efforts in making a difference in our community, which includes bleachers and nets at the Cranbrook Ball Fields, facility enhancement for the Cranbrook Curling Club, replacement of floors at the Key City Theatre, start up equipment and jerseys for the Kootenay East Youth Soccer Association and enhancements at the South Star Recreation Trail Systems. East Kootenay Foundation for Health thanks East Kootenay Community Credit Union for their philanthropic insight and all the EKCCU members who took time to learn more about each organization and took the time to vote. For more information about the Daybreak Program call the Mari Thomas, Program Coordinator at 250 420-2451. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
EKCCU is looking forward to receiving applications from community groups in Elkford and Fernie for the 2010 award. $12,500 will be awarded to both an Elkford and a Fernie group. More information will soon be available at the top of the page.
DAYBREAK COMMUNITY BUS HITS THE ROAD Four-year $100,000 Community Award Cranbrook, BC.... East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) will soon have their Daybreak community bus on the road thanks to East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKCCU). EKCCU announced the winner of the $25,000 Community Award in Cranbrook. The Cranbrook branch was a buzz of excitement on April 2nd and 3rd when 500 members attended the branch to vote for their favourite participant. In a very close race, East Kootenay Foundation for Health was declared victorious and happily accepted the award on behalf of the Daybreak program community bus. Diane Baher, Senior Manager of Cranbrook Services commented, “EKCCU’S Community Giving Committee wanted to find a way to make a significant difference in our communities. We determined if we could disburse a $100,000.00 over four years in Cranbrook, Elkford and Fernie we would surely have an impact on those communities.” She went on to say,” We wanted the process to be beneficial and bring awareness to all the participating groups, not just the winner. We knew if we could provide the venue and of course the $100,000.00 the volunteers in our communities would provide the innovation, enthusiasm, legacy and the support needed to create success.” EKCCU wishes to thank all the applicants for the quality of their applications and to acknowledge the huge number of volunteers supporting each group. Daybreak Community Programming supports social and recreational opportunities for seniors in a group setting. The bus offers safe transportation to physical programs like bowling, creative programs like painting workshops, social programs like the Kimberley Accordion Festival and cognitive programs like dementia care. The para-transit bus was originally purchased in 2006 and since the accident in 2008 the bus has not been operational. Caregivers can be assured their loved ones are safe and have opportunities to get out and meet new friends while they receive respite. Donna Grainger, executive director of EKFH, is moving very quickly now she has the funds to get the bus on the road. In accepting she said, “The foundation is honoured to win and thanks EKCCU for advancing philanthropy in our community. The community programming bus will offer freedom and access to social and recreational programs for over 200 seniors in the Cranbrook and Kimberley area.” EKCCU is looking forward to receiving applications from community groups in Elkford and Fernie for the 2010 award. $12,500 will be awarded to both an Elkford and a Fernie group. More information will soon be available at www.ekccu.com.
Winner announced at AGM
EKCCU would like to congratulate the winner of the first Community Award…East Kootenay Foundation for Health Daybreak community programming bus. Thank you to all entrants, finalists and the 500 members who voted for the Community Award. Watch for a $25,000 Community Award in 2010 in Elkford and Fernie.
EKCCU reviews 17
Community Projects View PDF (982 KB) of six finalists East Kootenay Community Credit Union reviewed the 17 applications for the $25,000 Community Award. The requests received were for excellent projects which will benefit the community. Of the 17 applications, six fit all the criteria for the award. “I was very impressed by the 17 community projects. The total value of all projects was valued at over $1 million!” stated Diane Baher, Senior Manager of the Cranbrook Branch EKCCU. EKCCU has confirmed the following groups are self-sustaining over the long term, use a single award of $25,000 to create a lasting legacy in the Cranbrook community and support the social, economic or environmental well-being of the Cranbrook community. Don Holt, Board Chair, commented, “The level of professionalism and significant community impact the 17 applications contained was incredible.” He went on to say, “This award is an example of EKCCU’s commitment to our communities in good times and also when things are a little tougher.” The six groups to move on include:
EKCCU looks forward to the next step where the selected participants will showcase their project. The groups will appear on a Shaw Cable production, radio and showcase their project April 2nd and 3rd in Cranbrook branch. The winner will be determined by members of EKCCU voting for their favourite. Each member, young and old will be eligible to vote. All members are encouraged to vote in the Cranbrook Branch April 2nd and 3rd. The winner will be announced at the AGM April 15th 2009.
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