Helping Restore Greenery

An Interior Savings Credit Union donation of $24,000 to the Crawford Estates Neighbourhood Association has helped the group replant a popular public area ravaged by 2003’s wildfires.

The association has been busy since the Spring planting and transplanting about 300 trees and ground vegetation to replace the estimated 700 trees lost in the fire. An irrigation system was also installed to aid establishment of the newly planted vegetation. The donation from Interior Savings helped the association transport the donated trees from Winfield to the site, located at the corner of Westridge Drive and Stewart Road West.

Before the wildfires, the site, which is a vacant School District 23 property, was a popular recreational spot among the 1,300 residents who live with walking distance. The heavily treed area was also a favourite with mountain bikers, hikers and others users from all over the Valley who enjoyed the mature pines and fir, Oregon grape, various grasses and many deciduous trees and bushes.

"We're delighted to have played a part in helping the association restore this area to its former beauty and popularity,” Interior Savings President & C.E.O. Barry Meckler said. "This donation reflects our continuing commitment to assist organizations that provide long-term benefits to a wide range of people throughout our community," he said.

Crawford Estates Neighbourhood Association Director Steve Verseghy said the group is grateful for the support of Interior Savings. “This project means a lot to the residents of our area who have put countless hours of volunteer time into the restoration of our neighbourhood,” Verseghy said. “This project has strengthened the sense of community and will establish a permanent useable area for all community members to enjoy,” he said.

The association’s efforts were supported by the school district, which removed the fire-damaged vegetation from the site, as well as the municipality, which re-established services.

The donation is being made through the $1 million Interior Savings Community Development Fund, which was established in the wake of the 2003 wildfires. The fund is designed to come to the aid of community groups seeking to promote economic development and restore fire-ravaged infrastructure in their communities.

With locations stretching from Osoyoos to Clearwater and Lillooet to Vernon, Interior Savings is the largest credit union based in the Interior of British Columbia, serving nearly 80,000 members in 20 branches across 14 communities. Through its group of companies, the Credit Union offers financial services, mutual funds, estate planning, investment management, and general insurance.