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Surrey credit union salutes community with annual awards and scholarships

Community Service Awards and 30 scholarships honour locals making a difference
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KCU’s Community Service Awards’ Religious Commitment award winner Prem Singh Gill, with Board Chair Jaswinder Singh Gill.

Surrey’s Khalsa Credit Union recognized a host of community leaders at its second annual awards gala, presented scholarships to deserving local students and announced a $30,000 contribution to ease the plight of Sikhs in Afghanistan.

“We were delighted to be able to sponsor an event of this magnitude,” said Board Chair Jaswinder Singh Gill. “It is gratifying to realize the part that KCU plays in support of education, culture, business and the betterment of our communities.”

“We believe that sponsoring these awards is a unique opportunity for KCU to give back to our broad communities and we thank our Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Advisory committees for their hard work organizing the event,” added CEO Dalbir Singh Mehta.

Community Service Awards

Youth, business owners and inspirational leaders were all recognized for making a difference in KCU’s Community Service Awards.

Citizen of the Year – an individual who exemplifies superior leadership and ethical behaviour, and has made significant contributions to the community: Jag Singh Khosa

Business Excellence – showcasing a business at least five years old that consistently provides superior customer service and offers employees respect and the opportunity to grow: Papa Plumbing and Heating Ltd.

Religious Commitment – highlighting someone committed to the Sikh religion and to bringing positive change in society: Prem Singh Gill

Sports Achievement – honouring an athlete who has achieved excellence at the provincial, national or international level and who serves as an ambassador of their sport: Buneet Singh Bisla

$45,000 in scholarships

A remarkable 30 scholarships and bursaries worth a combined $45,000 were awarded to deserving students in the categories of academic, religious, sports, high school and university bursaries.

“At KCU, we encourage everyone to dream big and pursue those dreams and goals with passion,” Dalbir Singh Mehta said. “For a long time we have supported Sikh schools and focussed on education to the extent that it is embedded in our Mission Statement and Core Values. It is gratifying to realize that we are making a real difference in the lives of the young people you see here tonight and others who have graduated and are making their mark in society.”

$30,000 in international support

Among the evening’s highlights was the $30,000 KCU donation to the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Charitable Foundation following an emotional speech from Bajinder Singh Bhullar on the plight of Sikhs in Afghanistan.

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With more than $440 million in assets, KCU is a full-service financial institution serving 15,000 members of the Sikh faith through six branches located in Abbotsford, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. KCU returns 10 per cent of its net income to support community endeavours such as scholarships, bursaries, community service awards, food banks and homeless shelters, and aligns well with KCUs vision and mission.

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KCU’s Community Service Awards’ Business Excellence recipient, Papa Plumbing and Heating Ltd., presented by director Surjit Singh Sodhi.
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KCU Community Service Awards’ Sports Achievement recipient Buneet Singh Bisla, with CEO Dalbir Singh Mehta.