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Lloydminster and District Co-op and Synergy Credit Union are joining forces to drive Border City Connects forward in service to the community.
Today, the co-operative businesses announced a joint $55,000 gift to Border City Connects to help fund a fourth Paravan-accessible vehicle- a 2022 Dodge Promaster. Operating under the Border City Express division, this unit will join a busy fleet that provides safe, reliable transportation for mobility-challenged individuals.
Border City Express also serves students who may require shuttle services to tutorials, senior citizens who need transport for outings, and individuals seeking connection with community groups like the Olive Tree, Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society (LABIS), and the MS Society of Lloydminster, to name only a few.
“Border City Connects is incredibly grateful for the partnership announced today which will impact some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens. Our vision at Border City Connects is connecting communities with transportation you can trust, and this co-operative investment is truly representative of everything we strive for. The Lloydminster region is so fortunate to have been built by the pioneering spirit of Lloydminster and District Co-op and Synergy Credit Union. How wonderful that together we are ensuring a better future for residents who require this critical transportation service.” shared Glenn Fagnan, Executive Director of Border City Connects.
"Our commitment to investing in the communities we serve is rooted in our belief in the seven co-operative principles" said Glen Stang, CEO of Synergy Credit Union. "By working together and sharing resources, we can create a stronger and more sustainable future for everyone."
"Co-operative Principles are one of the many ties that bind local co-operatives together, and we're seeing several of these principles in action today," explained Kristine Knourek, Director of Marketing and Community Relations with Lloydminster and District Co-op. "Concern for Community is one of seven Co-operative Principles and today's investment embodies our joint commitment to care for the places we call home. Another principle is Cooperation among Co-operatives. When local co-ops – like Synergy Credit Union and Lloyd Co-op - band together for good, outcomes like this fourth Paravan accessible vehicle unit become reality and the doors of access and inclusion open even wider."
For a fixed cost ($8.25 per trip), Border City Express provides door-to-door service, including pick up at the client's residence, transport to their destination, and a safe return home. A full-time driver manager coordinates all logistics and oversees a staff of six full and part-time drivers, which operates seven days a week. In 2022, three full-time units performed over 16,000 trips.
The new Paravan-accessible vehicle has a capacity for five passengers and can be booked by phoning 780-205-1666.
The highly anticipated unveiling of the vehicle took place on May 30th.
About Border City Connects:
Border City Connects is a non-profit organization operating since 1980. Formerly known as the Handi-van Society, BCC is a volunteer led organization with a mission to "empower the Lloydminster Region with the Freedom of Mobility" ensuring that people of all ages have access to rides to school, work, medical appointments etc. Border City Connects operates a small community powered fleet of vehicles to assist in this critical transportation, and also provides other important mobility assisted services such as the paramobile unit which assists individuals with a disability to stand in order to participate in events like golf, or even life celebrations like weddings. In addition, the Care-a-Vans provides thousands of residents in the region with transportation to medical appointments outside of the community with life-changing impact. Border City Connects hosts a number of local events such as the “Play It Forward” hockey tournament and Ribest to support the funding of these initiatives and is assisted by local residents and organizations who work cooperatively to meet the transportation needs of the community’s most vulnerable.
About Synergy CU:
Synergy Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution serving more than 29,000 voting and non-voting members from 12 communities within west-central Saskatchewan. Synergy Credit Union is the fifth largest credit union in the province of Saskatchewan and is one of the leading credit unions in Canada, with more than $2.2 billion in assets under administration. Synergy Credit Union provides core banking services through the traditional branch network, the Canada-wide AccuLink® ATM network, online banking, mobile web banking, as well as through the Member Contact Centre. More complex and advanced services, such as financial advice and analysis, are delivered by specialists who may be located at select branches or available to meet in a location of the member’s choice, by request.
Synergy Credit Union operates on the lands referred to as Treaty 6 Territory, which encompasses the unceded lands of Indigenous Nations and Peoples, including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Dene and Metis.
About Lloydminster and District Co-op:
Lloydminster and District Co-op (Lloyd Co-op) is an award-winning, diversified co-operative retailer with locations in Lloydminster, Lashburn, and Neilburg. Established in 1914, Lloyd Co-op is member-owned by over 21,000 members and growing. With an employee base of over 250 at 11 retail locations, they offer food and pharmacy, bulk fuel and lubricant, propane, retail gas bars and car wash, and agriculture inputs, implements, and equipment. This year, Lloyd Co-op paid back over $5.4 million in cash and equity to local members and invested over $500,000 in local communities.