Review staff
The 8th Annual Community Savings Golf Classic raised $45,000 for the central Alberta office of Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), according to a press release issued by the organization.
The tournament, which was held at the Innisfail Golf Club in July, featured more than 150 golfers who, along with some generous sponsors and donations made at various branches throughout central Alberta.
“Community Savings is a grass-roots organization and they contribute a lot to different charities throughout central Alberta and some nationally as well,” said Ralph Blythe, manager of Rimbey Community Savings. “The CNIB is a very important organization, especially for the older people plus the younger ones too. But as you get older and start to need their services, they can provide them.”
Each year the CNIB provides services and public education to approximately 3,500 people with vision loss in central and the nationwide charity has been the primary source of support and information for all Canadians affected by vision loss for the past 90 years.
Blythe was quick to point out however, that the CNIB isn’t the only charity Community Savings supports.
“I’m not aware of any specific ones, but Community Savings is involved in many charities,” he said. “One that we are especially proud of – a Community Savings initiative, is participating locally with the United Way, and that’s a big one.”
He added that assisting local charities is a perfect fit for the organization being that it relies on local membership to function.
“Helping local charities is certainly a perfect fit for us,” Blythe said. “We concentrate on local programs, charities and activities that are taking place in the different areas of all our branches, not just one.”
“This event was a true display of corporate Red Deer partnering with a not-for-profit organization to achieve a goal that will positively impact many lives in central Alberta,” added Harold Grace, Director of Development for CNIB. “This donation will go towards funding the new building in Red Deer so that clients and families will no longer have to travel to Calgary or Edmonton to receive services.”
Last year Community Savings contributed more than $900,000 to local community groups and initiatives through donations, sponsorships and corporate events.
Over the last eight years, the golf tournament has raised more than $225,000 for local charities throughout central Alberta.