The Westman Dreams for Kids Golf Tournament, an annual highlight in the Westman community, once again proved to be a day filled with fun, camaraderie, and, most importantly, charity. Held at the scenic Wheat City Golf Course, the tournament brought together golfers of all skill levels for a noble cause: to support children in need. For over two decades, the Westman Dreams for Kids organization has been dedicated to making dreams come true for children facing serious health challenges. The golf tournament is one of their key fundraising events, generating significant funds to support various programs and initiatives. The funds raised from the tournament directly benefit the children served by Westman Dreams for Kids. These funds help to provide medical equipment, support for families traveling for treatments, and fulfilling special wishes for children facing life-threatening conditions. The Westman Dreams for Kids Golf Tournament is more than just a day of golf; it’s a celebration of community and compassion. Each swing of the club and every 50/50 purchase contributes to a greater cause, ensuring that the dreams of many children can come true.

Fusion Credit Union has awarded $18,000 in scholarships this year to high school graduates entering post-secondary programs. Now in its fifth year, the Fusion Scholarship Program was developed to support students in their academic ventures, and to invest in the future of our communities. Since its inception, Fusion has awarded over $100,000 in scholarship dollars to support more than 200 graduates across their 18 communities and beyond. The program is open to any grade 12 student graduating high school in Manitoba heading on to post- secondary education. “At Fusion, we actively support our members to achieve great things, because their success is our success.” says Darwin Johns, CEO. “We see these scholarships as an investment in tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.” The Fusion Scholarship Program is open for applications between April and May each year, and the criteria considers aspects such as community impact, leadership, and achievements in academics, athletics, and/or the arts. “We have such a diverse group of students apply to the program, each with their own strengths,” says Kelly Brook, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the evaluating committee this year. “It’s so inspiring to learn about what these students are doing to better our communities.” This year, 36 applicants from 13 communities were awarded a $500 scholarship at their graduation ceremony. “We wish them all the best going into this new chapter of their lives,” says Johns. “Fusion is here for them every step of the way.”  

Sunrise Credit Union's Building Communities Grant Program 2024 spring intake period ended on May 31. Sunrise Credit Union has selected four worthwhile organizations to receive $50,000 in collective grant funding. With 57 applicants across southwestern Manitoba, Sunrise Credit Union is eager to announce the four organizations selected to receive funding this spring: Leda Lake Park in Erikson, Swan Lake First Nation Pow Wow Committee, Prairie Skills Inc. in Deloraine, and the Oak Lake Care Centre. Sunrise Credit Union has donated $25,000 in grant funding to the Leda Lake Park project. The project addresses the need for more parks and recreational spaces in Erikson, Manitoba. The addition of the park will not only grant residents and visitors to the area the ability to enjoy the outdoors but also promote mental and physical well-being for all. The park will become an asset to the region and stimulate the local economy with increased tourism. The Lookout Structure at Leda Lake Park will be named after Sunrise Credit Union in recognition of their donation to the project. The Prairie Skills Centre, a unique heritage building in Deloraine, is working on a crucial project. To meet fire codes, they are adding an emergency exit from the upper level of the building. This will not only ensure the safety of the people but will also allow the building to function as a community space for various events such as weddings, funerals, concerts, and meetings. Recognizing the importance of such a community space, Sunrise Credit Union has pledged $10,000 toward the construction of the emergency exit. The Oak Lake Care Centre, a much-needed addition to the community, is a newly constructed daycare in Oak Lake, Manitoba. Sunrise Credit Union's donation of $10,000 will go toward purchasing equipment, furniture, and toys required to license the new 84-space daycare. This new facility will help alleviate the shortage of daycare spots in Oak Lake and the surrounding areas, reducing long daycare waitlists. The daycare, set to open later this year, will service the RM of Sifton, Oak Lake, and the surrounding area, providing parents with a reliable childcare option and creating new job opportunities for ECEs and CCAs. The Swan Lake First Nation Pow Wow Committee is fundraising to make their Pow Wow grounds more accessible with a paved accessible parking area and path to the Elders' stand area. Sunrise Credit Union has donated $5,000 to this project. Creating an accessible and safe path at their Pow Wow grounds ensures that Elders and community members with mobility issues can participate in the Pow Wow and celebrate the Ojibway culture. “It is great to see so many organizations working to better our communities,” said Sunrise Credit Union President and CEO Team Klassen, “We are grateful that we can offer the Building Communities Grant Program and play a continued role in community development with our most recent donation totalling $50,000.” The Building Communities Grant Program, with its two intake periods per year, is designed to ensure a fair and structured process for all applicants. With community betterment at the forefront of the project, the new grant program ensures that every project, regardless of its scale, is given the same opportunity and platform to request funding. Sunrise Credit Union appreciates the opportunity to support its local communities. They extend their heartfelt thanks to all the organizations that applied for the 2024 spring intake of the Building Communities Grant Program. Your dedication to community improvement is truly inspiring. Sunrise Credit Union looks forward to your continued participation in the Building Communities Grant Program, which will launch again this fall!

Coras Breakfast and Lunch, a beloved Canadian restaurant chain renowned for its hearty breakfasts and wholesome lunches appears to be opening a location in Brandon. A peak at their web site indicates that the restaurant will be located at 1350 - 18th Street, Unit #D, the spot previously occupied by MonGO's Fresh, Fast Stir Fry. The popular chain was founded back in 1987 and presently operates three locations' in Winnipeg. The menu is best known for it's breakfast classics including omelettes, crepes, pancakes, skillets, waffles, and Ben et Dictine. With its reputation for delicious meals served in a welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant will bring a fresh dining experience to residents and visitors alike.

The member-owners of Assiniboine Credit Union, Caisse Financial Group and Westoba Credit Union voted in favour of a merger, creating a uniquely Manitoban credit union that will be one of the largest credit unions in Manitoba and in the top 10 in Canada. The Boards of Directors for all three co-operatives had recommended the merger to make them stronger and more sustainable. They need size and scale to meet member, employee, and community needs and wants now and into the future. A merger is a fundamental change and requires not less than two-thirds of the financial cooperative’s votes cast on the Special Resolution to be in favour, in order for the Special Resolution to pass. Online voting started June 6, 2024, and concluded on June 19th. The partners are happy to share that the resolution was passed with 89% of Assiniboine members, 84% of Caisse members, and 88% of Westoba members voting in favour. The three organizations serve diverse communities with diverse needs and wants, and diverse perspectives and opinions. The newly formed credit union will honour the commitments and work every day with the core purpose of serving our member-owners and communities. Assiniboine, Caisse and Westoba are expected to merge effective January 1, 2025, after obtaining all necessary approvals, creating Assiniboine Credit Union / Caisse Assiniboine. The new credit union will have a combined 50 branches, 216,000 members, $9.6 billion in assets, and the widest geographic reach of any credit union in Manitoba. “As a merged organization, we are committed to continuing our work with partners for mutual benefit and the common good, dedicated to the International Co-operative Principles and the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence. We believe a merged credit union will have even greater capacity to create shared value for employees, members, and communities,” said Assiniboine Board Chair, Crystal Laborero. “We were reminded today that in a co-operative business model like a caisse or credit union, the membership plays an important role, and we are grateful for the trust our members have put in our collective future. This is a great opportunity for all of us,” said Laborero. “This is an exciting opportunity for Caisse members to get what they need and want while preserving French services,” said Caisse Board Chair, Réal Déquier. “This merger makes us stronger and more sustainable, while honouring our Francophone roots. We are now in a better position to compete with larger credit unions, banks, fintechs, and other major financial services providers. We can also now provide our members competitive rates, fees, and innovative products and services that only larger entities can offer,” said Déquier. “This merger gives us the scale and ability to serve more commercial and agricultural operations of all sizes. With branches throughout Manitoba, we will be providing our network of employees more opportunities to volunteer in rural and urban communities, which is important to all of us,” added Westoba Board Chair Garnet McBurney. “Our greater financial capacity will enable us to support more community organizations and invest in more of Manitoba’s diverse and varied communities and events. Our founders would be proud of how our members have decided to grow the co-operative movement,” added McBurney.