1st Choice Savings and Credit Union is continuing its generous support of Lethbridge Polytechnic students and initiatives with a $100,000 gift.
Representatives from 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, Lethbridge Polytechnic and student award recipients at Coulee Fest Sept. 14, 2024. L to R: Emmanuel Anom, Dean, Centre for Technology, Environment and Design, Lethbridge Polytechnic; Charlotte Cate; Nathan Schnoor; Emma Knodel; Jason Sentes, CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union; Jaydon Haustein; David Van Dijk; Gabrielle Meir; Bryan Renaud, Business Development Manager, 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union; and Dr. Brad Donaldson, president and CEO, Lethbridge Polytechnic.
The donation, to benefit student awards, youth initiatives and Coulee Fest, will be shared over the next three years.
"Trades and agriculture are the core of our community, and we are proud to offer our support to these programs and initiatives," says Jason Sentes, CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union. "Lethbridge Polytechnic shapes the future of our community and creates an impactful legacy with every student that walks through their doors, and we are excited to be a part of that legacy."
As part of the three-year agreement, 1st Choice Savings will provide $20,000 annually ($60,000 total) for student awards in the polytechnic's Bachelor of Agriculture Science degree program and Agriculture Sciences diploma program.
This builds on a $55,000 commitment 1st Choice Savings made in 2022 when the awards were established.
"By continuing to support student awards in our agriculture diploma and degree programs, 1st Choice Savings is acknowledging the importance of investing in the future of the industry," says Byrne Cook, chair, School of Agriculture. "We are thankful for this generous donation, and we know our students will benefit greatly from it."
The Lethbridge-based financial institution has also committed $25,000 over the next three years to support the polytechnic's Your Partner in STEM initiative that helps introduce K-12 students to career possibilities in the trades.
The initiative includes a series of free videos, detailed guides to activities, and for-loan physical kits with the tools needed to teach K-12 STEM concepts in a way that is relevant to the real world.
"Primary school students often ask the question, why do we need to learn this?' and our STEM initiative offers an answer," says Joelle Reynolds, director, Youth Initiatives. "Math and science are fundamental to the study of trades, and we want to help students see, at an early age, how these subjects apply to our world and to the potential career pathways ahead of them. We're happy to have 1st Choice Savings on board as a partner in this program, and we are grateful for their support."
Rounding out the gift, 1st Choice Savings will remain a signature sponsor of Coulee Fest, Lethbridge Polytechnic's annual community festival, for the next three years thanks to an annual gift of $5,000 ($15,000 total).
"We're so excited to have the continued support of 1st Choice Savings," says Stephanie Savage, manager, Alumni and Engagement. "1st Choice truly captures the spirit of connection and generosity that makes our community so special, and we can't wait to create amazing memories together at Coulee Fest in the years ahead."
The banking alternative for southern Albertans, 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union serves about 18,000 member-owners and brings more than 75 years of history serving the families, agricultural operations, and small businesses that make up southern Alberta. With branches in Lethbridge, Taber and Cardston, 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union is also proud to employ 21 Lethbridge Polytechnic alumni.
To learn more about donor-related projects at Lethbridge Polytechnic, or to get involved, visit lethpolytech.ca/give.
