When the folks from Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union arrived for a volunteer shift, we knew wonderful things would happen.

So much produce sorted, and bags of lettuce packaged for those in the valley that face food insecurity each and every day.

Thank you to all of you for helping us #endhunger.

#feedthevalley

#JoinTheFoodMovement

With a little help from our friends, our Penticton teams hosted another successful Shred It and Forget It Event, raising just over $1,050 along with a full grocery cart of food donations for Feed the Valley and Penticton Food Bank. The team shredded 242 boxes of confidential documents! Big thank you to our partners Downtown Penticton Association, Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, City of Penticton and Iron Mountain Secure Shred.

Way to go Martin Hough! Martin is being recognized by Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union for his leadership in the community through our employee Lead Well program. As part of this recognition he received $500 to donate to the charity of his choice, he chose the Vermillion Forks Field Naturalists. The VFFN's objective is to promote the enjoyment of nature, foster public interest and education in the appreciation and study of nature, and to encourage conservation of ecosystems and our natural environment. Currently they are raising funds to host the 2020 BC Nature AGM in which Martin has been playing a key role in organizing. The AGM will attract people from all over BC and help support conservation efforts in the local natural environment. Thank you Martin for your commitment to the community and our environment!

Our Orchard Plaza team headed out to volunteer at Helen's Acres Community Farm! The farm helps to provide fresh produce and eggs to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. They were busy painting the new chicken coop that will later hold 250 chickens, harvesting rhubarb and weeding four rows of green onions which held 8,000 onions! Thank you for making a difference!

Shout out to rhys spencer! Rhys is being recognized by Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union for his leadership in the community through our employee Lead Well program. To top it off, he received a $500 donation to a charity of his choice! Rhys chose to direct the donation to Ride2Survive, a one-day cycling event from Kelowna to Delta to raise funds for cancer research as an independent fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society. Here’s why Rhys is supporting the team; “When I moved to Penticton in the summer of 2013, one of the locals Bruce Schoenne welcomed me with open arms. He was a real influencer and connector to help build my new home life in Penticton and was a champion of local business; as well as, a long-time member and supporter of Valley First. Bruce did Ride2Survive many times and was a real champion of the event. Sadly, he passed in 2018 after a short fight with cancer himself. His wife Lynn and many friends are riding in his honour this year.”

Thank you for your commitment to community, Rhys!