Committed to changing lives and benefitting communities, Westminster Savings Credit Union (Westminster Savings) is kicking off a three-year provincial partnership with Special Olympics BC to celebrate the power and joy of sport.
As a SOBC Provincial Partner from 2017 to 2019, Westminster Savings will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC. In 2017, the credit union’s funding will also create opportunities for athletes to compete in the 2017 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Kamloops held from July 6 to 8, and to support SOBC’s important programs helping individuals with intellectual disabilities improve their health.
The partnership, one of three initiatives announced by Westminster Savings in October 2016, involves gifts of $75,000 each year to help Special Olympics BC programs enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“At Westminster Savings, we know that active living provides numerous health benefits that enrich the lives and wellbeing of individuals and our communities,” says Gavin Toy, President and CEO, Westminster Savings. “We are honoured to embark on this three-year partnership with Special Olympics BC as they help local athletes gain confidence, skills and friendships through sport. We’d also like to issue a friendly challenge to our fellow credit unions in the area to participate in this year’s Polar Plunge!” Watch their challenge:
“Our life-changing sport and health programs and events could not exist without the support of community partners, and we are so grateful for this new partnership with Westminster Savings. Their commitment to balancing lives and enriching communities is helping create important opportunities for our athletes,” says Dan Howe, President, Special Olympics BC.
The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC presented by Westminster Savings will return to Kitsilano Beach on March 4. Participants will be freezin’ for a reason, many strutting their stuff in costume, as they take the plunge in this frigid and fun event to support Special Olympics. Anyone interested in plunging, donating, or volunteering is invited to check out www.plunge4specialolympics.com.
Westminster Savings will draft athletes for the 2017 Special Olympics BC Summer Games to give them the empowering experience of representing their regions, travelling and competing with their teams, and achieving their goals. More than 1,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities along with volunteer coaches and mission staff will come together in Kamloops from July 6 to 8 for SOBC’s largest Provincial Games to date.
Westminster Savings will also support Special Olympics BC’s health screenings and programs to change the game for athlete health and help athletes perform their best on and off the playing field. Special Olympics health programming combats the significant challenges faced by millions of people with intellectual disabilities in every country around the world, including ours, who lack access to quality healthcare and experience dramatically higher rates of preventable disease, chronic pain, and premature death.
For more information about Westminster Savings in the community, please click here.
About Westminster Savings Credit Union
At $3.6 billion in assets under management, more than 65,000 customers and 400 employees, Westminster Savings is among the largest credit unions in Canada. Known for its customer and community focus, people-oriented culture, and sound financial and operating practices, Westminster Savings provides a full range of retail, commercial, leasing and wealth management solutions to meet its customers’ evolving needs. www.wscu.com
About Special Olympics BC
Special Olympics BC provides year-round, high-quality sports programs and competitions for more than 4,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities in 57 communities around the province, with the vital assistance of more than 3,900 trained and dedicated volunteers. The organization provides a variety of sports and youth programs, giving athletes the chance to gain sport skills and improve their health while enjoying training that could take them to competitions at local, regional, national and international levels. But the benefits from Special Olympics BC programs go well beyond the basics: athletes experience joy and acceptance, cultivate friendships and self-confidence, and feel empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. As well, a network of thousands of coaches and fans share a unique experience and sense of community in supporting, cheering on and learning from the athletes they work with. www.specialolympics.bc.ca