Over $28,000 raised by staff in since 2006!
How are Lakeland Credit Union Staff Building a Better World?
BONNYVILLE, AB, October 20, 2011 – Credit Unions across the globe celebrate the third Thursday of every October as International Credit Union Day. This years theme – Credit Union’s Build a Better World.
The staff at Lakeland Credit Union have been building a better world since 2006 when they first introduced the Care Wear program. Since then staff have paid two dollars every Friday to wear jeans and Care Wear shirts, and have donated the cumulative cash to numerous not-for-profit organizations across the Lakeland.
Proud staff at the Lakeland Credit Union Cold Lake branch presented Chantelle Kaufmann of Big Brothers Big Sisters with a cheque for nearly $1,200 on Thursday, October 20, 2011. The Care Wear donation is made every six months to a recipient that staff members have voted for; staff then personally present the cheque and have an opportunity to meet executives and volunteers from the organization they have chosen.
In the Bonnyville branch staff presented Irene Welecki and Brian McEvoy of the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority with a donation of more than $3,100 through the Care Wear program. “This donation is going straight to the Regional Fire Training Centre fund” said McEvoy, “We’ve been fundraising to build a local Regional Fire Training Centre for a couple years and we’re more than halfway to our goal of $200,000 thanks to great community support like this.”
Staff in both branches also presented their local Royal Canadian Legion with a special donation. Rick Russell and James Jollymore of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211 in Cold Lake and Margaret Chapmann of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 183 in Bonnyville graciously accepted a cheque for $277.50 from the staff at Lakeland Credit Union. The donation was made possible when CEO, Pierre Amyotte attended an Alberta Credit Union Provincial Manager’s Golf Tournament and won the charitable portion of a 50/50 draw.
Since its inception the Care Wear Program has given back more than $33,000 to the community and has raised awareness of more than 25 different causes in the Lakeland.
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Lakeland Credit Union Celebrates International Marketing Awards!
BONNYVILLE, AB, October 4, 2011- Amber Hughes, Manager, Marketing and Human Resources at Lakeland Credit Union has proven to be a top contender in marketing achievements. Hughes most recent accomplishments were presented by the renowned Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) at their Golden Mirror Awards where Lakeland Credit Union was awarded with First Place out of 560 international entries for their 2010 Annual Report and received an Award of Merit for their Conversion Campaign. The Wisconsin, IL based organization reviewed hundreds of entries for thirty credit union marketing categories and two of those awards are now proudly showcased at the Lakeland Credit Union Bonnyville branch.
Pierre Amyotte, Chief Executive Officer at Lakeland Credit Union said, “We are proud that our credit union is a front runner of marketing excellence for credit unions of our size in both Canada and the United States. Amber’s creative concepts for the Annual Report entice our members to examine our business and what our progress means for them as members. The 2010 Annual Report was not just designed to disclose the financial statements of Alberta’s Credit Union of the Year; it was created to give members a “field guide” of Lakeland Credit Unions accomplishments and enhancements over the last year.”
Lakeland Credit Union Named Alberta's Credit Union of the Year!
Recognized as provincial leader 5 times in nine years!
BONNYVILLE, AB, May 20, 2011–Lakeland Credit Union was recently honored as Alberta’s Credit Union of the Year for the fifth time in nine years. This award is presented on the basis of strong financial performance and marketing excellence.
Lakeland Credit Union has seen a year of change and growth through renovating the Cold Lake branch to nearly double its size, implementing an entirely new banking platform and welcoming a new Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Amyotte.
“This honor is a win for our communities. The financial growth our institution has experienced is a direct result of our thriving communities.” praised Amyotte. The top provincial title also recognizes Lakeland Credit Union for its community initiatives and the support of strong local membership.
Strong results in 2010 enabled Lakeland Credit Union to reward more than 12,000 members with patronage payments of nearly $2.88 million. This shared amount of the profit was dispersed in the amount of approximately $1,237 per average household. Profit Sharing is part of the Credit Union advantage and members are annually rewarded for the business they do, and they collectively share in the success of Lakeland Credit Union.
Amyotte also credits the staff for “their single-minded focus on delivering superior service with credible advice and real value.” Lakeland Credit Union processed an impressive average of nearly 2,800 transactions daily in-branch, over and above ATM and online services.
The continued financial strength also enabled Lakeland Credit Union to share more than $86,000 through local community donations and event sponsorships in 2010. “Becoming Alberta’s Credit Union of the Year over 48 other Alberta Credit Unions is a huge honor but has also become the standard of excellence that members expect, and that staff and directors aim for.” Amyotte affirms. Lakeland Credit Union employs more than 80 staff in two branches and provides full financial services to the Lakeland region.
Lakeland Credit Union Brings Home National Marketing Awards
BONNYVILLE, AB, June 9, 2010 – Amber Hughes, Manager, Marketing and Human Resources was very proud to accept four Achievement in Marketing awards at the event recently in Victoria, BC. Lakeland Credit Union was presented awards for two advertising campaigns, promotions for a staff recognition event and for the 2009 Annual Report. The Report was also honored with the ‘People’s Choice’ award, voted by marketing peers in the credit union system.Achievement in Marketing Excellence (AIME) awards are presented by the Marketing Association for Credit Unions (MACU) and have become the symbol of marketing distinction within the Canadian Credit Union system. The AIME awards showcase the most impressive, effective, and creative marketing and communications seen in the credit union industry.
Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Amyotte said, “We are very pleased that a credit union our size can compete and excel with our marketing initiatives on a national stage. Our members have come to expect an exceptional level of communications to keep them informed of our business operations and promotions.”
Since 1941, Lakeland Credit Union has grown to become one of the most well-respected credit unions with over 12,000 members, 75 employees, and assets under administration of $488 million. With two branches in Bonnyville and Cold Lake, as well as five ATMs and online banking, Lakeland Credit Union is a full-service financial institution. Through profit-sharing with members, investing in local businesses, and supporting community organizations and charities, Lakeland Credit Union is working to make the Lakeland an even better place to live.
Donations to Benefit the Community - Bonnyville Health Centre
Lakeland Credit Union donated $10,000 to the Bonnyville Health Centre towards the purchase of Obstetrics and Gynaecology equipment at the 2010 Bonnyville Health Gala fundraiser. Over $175,000 was raised to purchase new technology for advancing women's health in the Lakeland.
This recent LCU contribution now equates to a total of $50,000 to the Bonnyville Health Centre in the last three years.
Care Wear
The staff at Lakeland Credit Union wear ‘Care Wear’ on Fridays
to raise money for local, non-profit organizations in the Lakeland.
Our recent donation in March 2011 of $2009.12 was made by the Bonnyville Branch to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. With this donation MADD will be organizing a mult-media presentation for Bonnyville students, which hasn't been shown for a few years due to lack of funding. Cold Lake staff also proudly presented Cold Lake Hearts for Health Care with a cheque for $747.80 in May 2011 at their Hearts for Hospital Gala. Hearts for Healthcare is tirelessly raising money to update the equipment in the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre. Lakeland Credit Union staff are proud to be able to give back directly into their communities through the Care Wear Program.
Since July 2006 , staff have raised thousands of dollars for local groups including the Bonnyville Palliative Care Unit, Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre, MADD of Cold Lake, Bonnyville Boys and Girls Club, Lakeland Humane Society, Bonnyville Victim Services Unit, Special Olympics, Cold Lake Victim Services Unit, Bonnyville Seniors' Drop-in Centre, Cold Lake Senior Citizens Club, Bonnyville Firefighters Association, Dove Centre, Grand Centre Playschool, The Jericho Youth Society, and the Bonnyville & District SPCA.
Care Wear was initiated so that LCU staff could participate in corporate citizenship and give back to non-profit organizations over the course of the year. Each Friday, staff pays $2 to wear a black shirt with the Care Wear and LCU logos to identify the fundraising endeavour.
