by PAUL RAYNER

The Turtle Mountain Credit Union made a significant step towards developing health care stability and security in two communities.

At their September 28 meeting, a motion was passed to grant $10,000 each to the community health care committees in both Boissevain and Deloraine. According to board vice president Kennedy Cohoe, the move was seen as a natural for the financial institution that operates offices in both towns as well as Minto.

“It was brought up at the regular board meeting, and we passed the motion,” Cohoe explained. “Both communities are searching hard for medical people. It was a way for the Credit Union to be involved. The memberships in both towns are citizens of their communities, and this is a way to help out.”

Like many rural communities, Boissevain and Deloraine have struggled to keep a variety of medical personnel in their environs. In both, community committees were created to help with the effort. Most recently, a public meeting was held in Boissevain, on September 26 which attracted over 200 people to acquaint them with the specific concerns and call them to action. One of the ways to help is to donate money to help recruit professionals. This is exactly what the TMCU donation is intended for in both communities.

As Cohoe explained, the money was granted to attract medical professionals in general, with no specific strings. In Boissevain, that could mean sponsoring the education of nurses in return for securing their future services, or perhaps helping with the already agreed upon similar deal with medical student Rikki Yahiro, who is slated to serve as doctor in the community for a period of time equal to his education fee sponsorship, done as a partnership between the Town of Boissevain, RM of Morton and Assiniboine Regional Health Authority.

TMCU general manager Keith Wooldridge said the Credit Union as a member owned institution regularly gives back to the communities it serves. He feels the recent board decision was a consistent way of continuing the tradition.

“I really believe the Credit Union does a good job giving back to its communities,” Wooldridge stated. “Medical issues are very relevant to both of our communities, which the board thought commanded a significant donation to both Boissevain and Deloraine. There is no question the medical part is important to the communities. We were in the position to do it, and the way I look at it, it is something the Credit Union could do to help everyone. There really was no hesitation from the board to give to both. Each community needs it and it is directly useful right now.”

Wooldridge added that from what he has heard, the donations have been very well received in both towns.

Plans are for the cheques to be presented at both offices on October 19. That is Credit Union Day, where the Turtle Mountain Credit Union traditionally has its celebrations with its members. It was felt it was an appropriate time to pass on the donation.

Cohoe hopes it will be a significant contribution to the future of the TMCU’s member base and communities in general.

“Medical services are what helps hold a community together,” he said. “We hope this will be a shot in the arm for the two committees and they can go from there.”