Pictured left to right: Russel Jensen (Scotiabank), Trudy Carrels (United Way), Maureen Burke (United Way Board Chair)
Scotiabank is taking advantage of the holiday season to spread some cheer that will last into 2017. Downtown branch manager, Russel Jensen presented United Way’s Trudy Carrels with a $10,000 donation on Tuesday, December 14.
“United Way supports a lot of organizations in our community, many of which are close to my own heart and those of Scotiabank staff,” said Jensen.” This is a way we can make a difference for all of them at once.”
Of the $10,000 gift, half will be directed to United Way’s Community Fund – the source of grants to local organizations for human service programs – and half is designated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District to support mentoring programs for children.
Carrels says she is incredibly proud of individuals and businesses who step up to help.
“I haven’t been in this role a long time yet,” she said, “but the generosity that comes from local businesses like Scotiabank is so wonderful to see. We will do our very best to do right by our donors and invest this gift in programs that will have a strong impact on people who live here.”
Jen Visser, executive director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District – a United Way partner - says this support has the power to affect change in the lives of both children and adults.
“We’ve been making matches between children and mentors for a long time. Most of the focus is on helping that child grow as a person and succeed in life, but we also see growth and positive change in the mentor,” she explains. “Grants and gifts like this one from Scotiabank help us to make the best match possible. The impact is twofold. “
Carrels explains that poverty is one of the overarching issues United Way is aiming to impact in the years to come and that support from the community is crucial to achieve results.
“There are so many issues that relate to poverty or are caused by poverty. Many of the programs we support have a very strong focus on alleviating poverty and enabling people to break that cycle in a variety of ways. Big Brothers Big Sisters here in Lethbridge is one of the organizations doing a great job of that.”
Donations to United Way’s Community Fund will support programs for people and families in the Lethbridge region in the upcoming year. Gifts can be made at the United Way office, over the phone or online at www.lethbridgeunitedway.ca and will receive a 2016 tax receipt if made before Dec. 31.
For more information, please contact United Way at 403-327-1700 or email together@lethbridgeunitedway.ca .