In June 2016, Co-op proudly launched Communities in Full Colour. This program was developed as a way to give back to the places Co-op calls home. In an effort to brighten up the communities in which we live, work and play, Co-op is donating CO-OP® IMAGINE paint to the projects and initiatives that matter most to you.

Since the launch, Co-op stores across Western Canada have been busy helping to improve their local communities and are eager to share their success stories. Our first community project story comes from Prairie Co-op in Kelliher, Saskatchewan.

Kathy Bashutski, Branch Manager at Prairie Co-op – Kelliher Farm Supply, contributes the following story:

Kelliher is a typical small town in east-central Saskatchewan, where residents and rural community members volunteer at many functions to encourage community spirit. Kelliher residents have the heart and drive to volunteer their time, but fundraising has always been a challenge. Communities in Full Colour brought immediate excitement to the Kelliher community – four applications were submitted almost immediately, and two of the projects have been completed to date.

The Kelliher Recreation Board is responsible for the maintenance of communal resources, specifically the bleachers and picnic tables for the sports grounds. These grounds are host to many local functions, including the annual Carlton Trail Rodeo, Kelliher School football and soccer games, reunions and more. In need of repair and paint this year, the Communities in Full colour program allowed the organization to complete their paint project – a task that otherwise would have been spread out over a couple of years. Prairie Co-op was able to donate 12 of the 15 gallons needed. As such, the painting was completed in only a week. The recreation board approached the junior girls’ volleyball team to paint the bleachers and the Air Cadet Squadron to tend to the picnic tables, with each group receiving a donation for their efforts. The volleyball team used their funds toward the purchase of new jerseys and the cadets will use theirs for various trips and activities in the upcoming year. Thanks to Communities in Full Colour, not only did the recreation board and community benefit, but two youth groups did as well.

The Community Involvement Group is a new Kelliher organization formed to offer activities geared toward youth in the community. Its goal is to provide fun and engaging events for children and their families. Their first function was a vintage carnival with games, races, a dunk tank, a “pie in the face,” event, movies and fireworks. Proceeds will go toward future projects. The Communities in Full Colour paint donation allowed the group to revamp an old dunk tank and paint new structures that were built for what is to become an annual event.

Prairie Co-op is proud to have been able to work with Federated Co-operatives Limited to bring a program that has given new life to a small community of which we are a vital part, for not only our customers, but for neighbours and friends!