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Kelowna companies support volunteerism app

Kelowna-based platform is seeing big growth across Canada
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A reasonably new social platform, developed in the flourishing Okanagan tech industry, is poised to change the landscape of volunteering and giving across Canada. This, according to Interior Savings and Prospera Credit Unions, founding community partners of Volinspire, who’ve released a joint announcement that they’ve now also purchased shares in the platform.

Led by Kelowna-based tech-entrepreneur, Sheldon Gardiner, Volinspire is creating a community of people and businesses with a shared interest in community development and just generally doing good. In a way that has never before been possible, the tool connects volunteers with organizations who care about the same causes. It allows people and organizations to share what they’re doing, to recruit others to join in and to recognize those who are making a difference.

According to Gardiner, the Kelowna-based platform is seeing strong growth across Canada.

“We started in Kelowna but our technology is now being used in several cities across the country,” said Gardiner. “Initially, Volinspire began as an effort to help get youth more engaged in volunteering in Kelowna but it has grown considerably since then. With the launch of our new Do Some Good app, we believe there is an opportunity for people from all across the country to engage and make a real difference in their home communities.”

Gardiner attributes much of this success to credit unions who’ve supported and helped guide the development of this tool since its’ inception. “I am thrilled to expand our relationship with Interior Savings and Prospera Credit Union; two companies who share our values and belief that business can be a force for good.”

As a founding community partner of Volinspire, Kathy Conway, CEO of Interior Savings, says the Credit Union has seen firsthand the power of Volinspire to drive increased volunteerism.

“We have seen employee volunteerism spike since launching Volinspire as part of our volunteer program,” said Conway. “We have close to 100 per cent employee engagement and, so far this year, our employees have already reported nearly 8,000 volunteer hours. This is only the beginning; think of the impact in our communities and across our country if this tool can help unite more people and organizations in creating positive change.”

Shawn Good, president/CEO of Prospera Credit Union, says the ability to bring together individuals, businesses, and charities via the platform presents great potential for our communities.

“The opportunity to invest in a social enterprise dedicated to strengthening the fabric of our community by engaging with people and businesses is greatly aligned to the co-operative philosophy and how we do business at Prospera,” said Good. “And in an increasingly digital age, the ability to harness the power of technology in order to inspire others to give back is compelling. Volinspire connects people who are working together for the betterment of our communities, and we believe, will be a key influencer to create positive social change.”

To learn more about Volinspire or to join the growing community of people and business working together to build a stronger community go to Volinspire.com or download the Do Some Good APP at www.dosomegood.ca

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