PRINCETON, B.C. –Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union has announced a donation of $20,000 to the Princeton Flood Relief Fund established by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan/Similkameen in partnership with the Town of Princeton.
“The community of Princeton has a big heart and is responding to the devastation with incredible courage,” says Paulo Araujo, President of Valley First. “Valley First has deep roots here in Princeton and now the community needs everyone’s help from all of us across Valley First and First West. Our team is rallying to provide these funds where they’re most needed, because the idea of neighbour-helping-neighbour is part of who we are.”
The $20,000 will help with the relief and recovery efforts for the recent severe weather and subsequent flooding that has devastated the Princeton area.
“Valley First has been a community leader and community builder for so long,” says Aaron McRann, Executive Director of Community Foundation of the South Okanagan/Similkameen. “We are grateful, but not surprised, that Valley First has stepped up with such a sizable donation to help the victims of the flooding in Princeton. They have such a strong reputation for helping the community it’s great to have them participating in this important initiative.”
Last week Valley First also donated $3,000 to the Princeton Food Bank to help the most vulnerable community members as part of the organization’s ongoing Feed the Valley program, which supports food banks throughout the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thomson Valleys.
With more than 240,000 members across B.C., First West Credit Union is leveraging its collective strength to donate to the cause through its Valley First division. Araujo invites other credit union members, employees and members of the community who have the means to join First West and Valley First in contributing. To donate or learn more about the Princeton Flood Relief Fund, visit the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan/Similkameen website at www.cfso.net.