East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) has announced the list of finalists for their first ever 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 Diane Byford, Chair of the Nominating Committee and Director for the EKC Board of Directors, “We’re so impressed with the quality of the 17 applications we received for the first-ever 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 and Sparwood branches.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order):

• Cranbrook and District Search and Rescue Society for the purchase of a ‘Life Pak Automated External Defibrillator’ and training which will enable the society to offer the highest level of care possible for those in need.
• Cranbrook Food Action Committee for the launch of their “Dig It Delights’ social enterprise to fund local food security initiatives, by purchasing a commercial food scale and providing food safety training for the local production and sale of healthy dips, spreads and salad dressings.
• Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society for the Finishing Touches project which will include the completion of landscaping, such as a ‘contemplation garden,’ at the Lilac Terrace Senior Housing expansion initiative.
• Kimberley Alpine Team to purchase a start gate for ski cross racing to increase physical activity, provide a lower cost option to ski racing for youth and provide current members with further ski racing and athletic training options.
• Kootenay East Youth Soccer Association to assist with the cost of officials for their annual KEYSA Sam Steele Days Youth Soccer Tournament which hosts over 60 teams contributing to healthy lifestyles and showcasing the community.
• Rockies Rowing Club to enable fitness and health in the community by expanding their program for local youth through the purchase of new equipment including boats, life jackets, oars and a trailer.

The finalists will be invited to set up displays to promote their initiative at EKC’s Annual General Meeting taking place in Cranbrook on April 22 at the Heritage Inn starting at 6 p.m. (meeting starting at 7 pm).

At the AGM, guests will receive 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 to the Community Cash they accumulate throughout the event.

The group that receives the most Community Cash will also receive an additional $500 in funding.

“We’re excited that this process provides 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,” said EKC CEO Jody Burk.

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.

It’s important to note that members, supporters and youth who wish to participate in investing ‘Community Cash’ to award finalists must RSVP that they will attend the AGM by April 13 to Pam Pinch.

For more information on the Community Cash Award.

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