News and Stories

National Volunteer Week was created to celebrate all volunteers, including Jill Siebert who has contributed over 10,000 hours helping thousands of Okanagan children develop invaluable water safety skills through Y swim lessons.

A parent’s worst nightmare turned into a happy celebration earlier this month when nine year old, Alexis Edall, rescued a toddler who fell into the pool.  Alexis’ mother is extremely proud of her daughter who was quick to act, demonstrating the life-saving skills she had recently learned in a YMCA spring break aquatic seal camp.

What is your position/title and company, and what do you do there? Susan Byrom, Executive Director, Community Investment & First West Foundation

What is your position/title and company, and what do you do there? Ray Warren, Vice President Commercial Financial Services. As Vice President Commercial Banking for the Okanagan and West Kootenays, I lead a dynamic team of Relationship Account Managers, who work closely with clients in a collaborative manner to help them plan and achieve their business objectives. 

I owe a great deal to my parents, Eugene and Chris McFarlane. I was a shy child who lacked self-confidence and we were not well-off growing up in Windsor, ON in the 1950’s. Dad only made $1200 per year, but he and my mom were determined to help me gain skills to survive in an environment surrounded by water. They scrimped and saved $9 for a year’s membership in the Windsor YMCA. 

They’re so much more than a financial institution…they’re a credit union: a team comprised of dedicated staff and members who create local partnerships and truly make an impact in the lives of our community members.