Last Thursday, October 19, 2023, Sunrise Credit Union held a champagne reception in celebration of its 15th anniversary. The evening featured tours of the corporate office and Brandon branch at 2305 Victoria Avenue and a noteworthy giveaway that saw a lucky member walk away with $15,000.
“As I reflect on the past 15 years, I am humbled by the trust our members placed in our leadership at that time, embracing a vision to bring five smaller credit unions together as one” said President and CEO, Tim Klassen in his welcoming remarks. Sunrise Credit Union has seen exceptional growth since its creation in 2008 and Klassen contributes this success to their “team of great employee’s past and present and members past and present” stating that “without [their] support Sunrise Credit Union could not have achieved all that it did.”
Every member of Sunrise Credit Union was automatically entered into their 15th-anniversary giveaway, and one member from each of Sunrise’s 19 branches were drawn as a finalist for the contest. Those 19 members were invited to the champagne reception, and each was given a key to try their luck at unlocking a safe containing $5,000 cash, a $5,000 TFSA contribution, and a $5,000 RRSP contribution. Anticipation was building throughout the room as members began to take turns trying their luck unlocking the safe; after a handful of failed attempts, a key finally worked.
Cameron Schettler, a 19-year-old from Grandview, Manitoba, would be the one to unlock the safe. She was ecstatic when she realized her key worked and was at a loss for words. The audience erupted in cheers and applause as Cameron opened the safe and pulled out $5,000 cash and two certificates for the TFSA and RRSP contributions. Schettler became a member of Sunrise Credit Union only six months ago and grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m very fortunate and thankful and I am really at a loss for words, it means a lot to me” said Schettler. When asked what she plans to use the money for she said, “I think just saving it for now, I am in nursing school right now so maybe use a little toward that.”
The next giveaway for Sunrise Credit Union is a new Building Communities Grant Program. Sunrise will give $15,000 to a deserving non-profit organization or project in one of its communities.
