CANORA - International Credit Union (ICU) Day was held Oct. 20 this year with coffee and doughnuts served at each Crossroads Credit Union location, including the Canora branch.
This day celebrates the spirit of the global credit union movement. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize the hard work and share member experiences. ICU Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948. This year’s theme was “empower our financial future with a credit union.”
Crossroads CEO Jeff Bisschop announced the 22 non-profit organizations/community groups that received funding of $2,022 from the Community Investment Fund for 2022. The 2023 Crossroads Country Calendars were also available on Credit Union Day.
Crossroads sponsored a colouring contest that encouraged participation from the elementary schools in Sturgis, Preeceville, Canora, Wadena and Invermay. The randomly selected winner from each school will get to choose either $150 towards scholastic books for his/her class or a pizza party. The winners announced at press time were: Jaxon Nielson, Preeceville School; Jaxxon Kelly, Sturgis Composite; Jett Olynyk, Canora, and Krystal Oie, Invermay.
The 2022 Crossroads Credit Union recipients were: the Preeceville Economic Development Committee, Preeceville School, Preeceville Nursery School, Preeceville & Community Skate & Bike Park, Sturgis Community Bingo, Sturgis 123 Care for Me Daycare, Sturgis Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club, Sturgis Figure Skating Club, Canora Community Childcare Centre, Canora Trakkers Snow Club, Wadena Community Childcare Centre, Wadena Vohon Ukrainian Dance Club, Wadena Seniors Club, Canora Veselka Dance Club, Canora Arts Council, Canora Composite School, Firmly Rooted Home School, Town of Canora Tourism Committee, Margo Community Rec Board, Assiniboine River Archery Club, Buchanan Black Box Players and the Rama Recreation Board.
Crossroads asked how each local community group makes a difference in Crossroads Country:
Canora Community Child Care Centre
“This is a play-based program. The focus is on the holistic development of children which includes play-based programming focusing on intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and physical development. The Centre makes an impact on the lives of the children who are registered as a warm safe and educational place for them to build strong positive relationships with peers and caregivers.”
Trakker’s Snow Club
“We provide an outlet for a safe snowmobiling experience during the winter months, ensuring safe trails for our community and out-of-town tourists. Bringing in tourists from other towns, cities and provinces also helps in our Crossroads Country's Economics. By ensuring the trail system is open, it encourages all travelers and users of the SSA (Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association) approved trails to stop and access our community services such as fuel, convenience, meals and lodging.”
Margo Community Rec Board
“The Margo Recreation Board works hard to keep the small community on the map. It is a group of volunteers who give it their all to maintain the rink facility and keep it bustling with activities. We are always raising funds to maintain and improve the facility. The Recreation Board has it in operational condition for use in the winter months. General skating, hockey practices and games are held. We also had the first indoor crock curl tournament a few years ago. It is open to everyone from all surrounding communities.”
Canora Composite School Wellness Centre
“Our goal is to initiate programs to our youth to become more physically active to work toward specific goals centred around fitness, personal well-being, and mental health. The development of this room is to create a space for staff and students to feel good about themselves and release some tension.”
Assiniboine River Archery Club
“The Archery Club has been a fixture of Canora for many years. It gives opportunities for families to be involved in the sport together. Archery is an activity that runs for the majority of the year and gives youth an opportunity to be involved in a positive and welcoming club and sport. Everyone is welcome and we would like to grow the club and attract new membership by erecting our own building. In doing this, we want to remain an integral part of Canora and the surrounding area for years to come.”
Canora Arts Council
“Attendees at the shows have said that they are impressed by the high quality of entertainment that we are able to bring to Canora. Many community members were able to take in shows at a time when large events were difficult to access due to COVID-19. Experiencing live music and hearing from performers across the country adds to the quality of life in town and is important for the wellbeing of all ages.”
Rama Recreation Board
“The Rama Recreation Board recently installed a new playground with funding we received. We are in need of some items the funding wouldn't cover. We also installed a pickleball court and would benefit from purchasing some rackets etc. so children and adults could try the sport. We are a hard working, very small crew of volunteers and love our community.”
Canora Veselka Dance Club
“The club wants to preserve the Ukrainian heritage for generations to come. The club performs dances for many communities in the area, is very well received, and has been asked to come back and perform on a regular basis. The dances that are performed draw the audiences in and allow everyone to be captivated by the beautiful costumes, as well as the quick dance moves and tricks.”
Buchanan Black Box Players
“BBBP has made an impact in the past 25-30 years not only in Buchanan but through a wider area surrounding our community and have been told that we ‘put Buchanan on the map’ as many people look forward to gathering at our annual dinner theatre events. We also have members from outlying communities who join with us every year as members of the cast and crew. All activities are done as volunteers, and it brings together a group of people from many walks of life and ranging in age from 10 to 90. It is amazing to see the interaction among these people as they build relationships and carry those friendships and character building out into the community.”
Canora Tourism Committee.
“The Canora Tourism Fundraising Committee hosts large community events that stimulate commerce through tourism in the Town of Canora. We host a wide range of events that really generate commerce for local businesses. The proceeds from the events go to various community enhancement projects throughout Canora. The proceeds from 2022 are going towards two large new welcome signs for Canora.”
Community Investment Fund
The Crossroads Community Investment Fund (CIF) was established in 2009. Each year funds are allocated to non-profit organizations that support community development. The purpose of the Community Investment Fund is to provide a strong foundation to build upon and enhance the quality of life for the people in Crossroads Country.
Each year a set amount of funding is allocated towards the fund at which time the CIF committee meets and discusses how the funds will be allocated for the year. In the past 13 years, the fund has allocated over $470,000 to more than 130 community projects and initiatives.
“We are proud of our co-operative roots and helping our communities will always be a priority. It's about grassroots, hometowns and co-operation. That's the Credit Union Difference,” stated a release from Crossroads.
Co-op Week was also held in conjunction of International Credit Union Day. It was held on October 16 – October 22. The Canora location of Gateway Co-op had in-store specials, and on Oct. 19, offered two cents off every litre of fuel purchased at the pumps.
“This is a time for us to reflect on the contributions the co-operative sector has made to the lives of Canadians and celebrate the impact co-operatives have in our communities,” stated a release from Gateway and Crossroads.
Co-op Week brings understanding and awareness of the co-operative business model (member-owned and controlled business that operates for the mutual benefit of its members). This year’s theme was "Co-operation in the World of Tomorrow."
The goal during this week is to raise awareness and recognize the work that credit unions and other financial cooperatives are doing around the world.
