Surrey, B.C. In its 17th year, the Coast Capital Savings Charity Golf Tournament is still going strong, raising a record-breaking $300,000 for mental health research. The total funds raised by the annual event is now over $2.8 million, the credit union announced today.
With more than 200 participants, the sold-out tournament benefits the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and raises funds focused on supporting mental health research tailored to youth.
“When you look at the numbers – 10 to 20% of Canadian youth affected by mental illness and 3.2 million Canadian teenagers are at risk of depression – you realize that by supporting mental health research, the effect of our dollars multiplies. One breakthrough can change many lives,” says Bruce Schouten, Interim CEO at Coast Capital Savings. “Then look beyond the numbers to the real people behind them: a youth struggling, a parent or guardian losing sleep with worry, anxious siblings and friends. It’s clear our support for this cause is well-placed.”
In addition to raising funds for mental health research through the tournament, Coast Capital’s community investments support youth through its Youth Get It Community Investment Program. In 2017, the credit union invested $2.22 million in community programs that help decrease stress and depression in youth, and to help them build a sense of connection to their community.
Jeff Wong, Coast Capital’s Chief Business Transformation Officer and executive chair of the 2018 tournament, stresses that the support of both individuals and business are the crucial to the tournament’s success, held at Surrey’s Northview Golf and Country Club. He especially applauded the events sponsors, particularly the generous support of the event’s platinum sponsors: Deloitte, Desjardins, Landcor Data Corporation, PwC, SEI Industries Ltd, Temenos, Valeyo and Worldsource Wealth Management.
“The fundraising success of this tournament comes down to commitment,” said Wong. “The companies who sponsor it and the golfers who participate join us in a shared commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues, advancing vital research, and helping young people and their families touched by mental illness. Awareness and openness about mental health issues have come a long way in 17 years, but there’s much more to do, and at Coast Capital, we’re ready to do it.”
Coast Capital Savings
Coast Capital Savings is Canada’s largest credit union by membership. An Imagine Canada Caring Company, the credit union invested $5.6 million into local communities in 2017, focusing on empowering and engaging youth. Coast Capital is one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, and is a winner of the Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation. It has 52 branches serving its 555,000 members in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada's first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.