FortisBC is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Our community investment program allows the Company to connect with customers and employees through a variety of local initiatives focused on our community investment pillars of safety, environment, aboriginal and education.
Rotary Club of Kelowna
The Company was honoured to be recognized in 2008 by the Rotary Club of Kelowna, when it awarded FortisBC the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for outstanding community support. This marked the first time that Rotary Club of Kelowna has presented this prestigious award to a corporate entity rather than an individual.
FortisBC has made a five-year partnership commitment to the Rotary Club of Kelowna since 2007 as the title sponsor for the Club’s annual charity golf tournament. During the first four years of FortisBC’s involvement, the Club has raised over $337,000. for worthwhile projects and causes that have a positive impact in the community.
Community Donations and Sponsorships
Through donations and sponsorships, FortisBC supports grassroots initiatives and leadership recognition programs that actively benefit the communities in which the Company operates. In 2010, FortisBC supported more than 200 initiatives. The following are just some of the organizations and projects we supported in 2010:
- Helipad for the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital
- Okanagan College Foundation
- Summerland Fall Fair
- Creston Valley Blossom Festival Association
- Community Harvest Food Bank in Castlegar
- Princeton Ground Search & Rescue Society
- South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls
- Oliver Fire Department
- Fat Cat Children’s Festival in Kelowna.
- Castlegar Committee Ducks Unlimited
- Greenwood Improvement Society
- Rossland Golden City Days
- Osoyoos Desert Society
- Kelowna YMCA Healthy Kids Day
- Village of Midway Volunteer Appreciation Day
- Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance Meadowlark Festival
- Penticton Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence Awards
- Kelowna Civic and Community Awards
- Kootenay Association for Science and Technology’s Spirit of Innovation Conference
Aboriginal Partnerships
In 2010, FortisBC provided support to a number of First Nations initiatives, including training, educational and cultural programs for First Nations youth, a traditional pow wow, the 2010 National Aboriginal Business opportunities conference, Tuc-el-nuit Xeriscape garden project, a traditional village by Penticton Indian Band members at the annual Penticton Peach Festival, Okanagan Nation Alliance Salmon Feast and a green energy plan with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.
Employee Donations Program
The Company strongly supports the active involvement of employees in the communities where they live and work. In 2010, financial support was provided to 28 different organizations where our employees volunteered their time as coaches, instructors, and other leadership roles. FortisBC employees organized several fundraising activities throughout the year, raising money for various charitable organizations including the BC Children’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, the Castlegar Food Bank, the Kelowna Community Food Bank and the Kelowna Cancer clinic.