BCAA

6 bca a .com fall 2015 your BCAA A s I mark my own first anniversary at BCAA, I think about the many things that make me proud to work here. Of course, there are all the ways we help over 833,000 Members with quality products, great savings and expertise. In the last year, we've added a new and expanding Auto Service Centre business, and brought Evo Car Share to Vancouverites looking for a flexible transportation option to make the most of the B.C. lifestyle. Yet it's the impact we have on the lives of families and children in communities across the province that makes me most proud to be a part of BCAA as a Member and employee. We are truly B.C.'s company and, while more Members than ever before are joining us and discovering numerous reasons why Membership is Rewarding for them, they're also seeing how it's rewarding for our communities. Seeing the difference we are making first hand is my favourite part of the job. A few months ago I had the privilege to volunteer alongside some 150 of my colleagues to complete a series of major renovation and improvement projects for non-profits and charities spanning the Interior, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and the Island. They were four very special days, full of meaning and remarkable team spirit. We worked hard together at the Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association, the Zajac Ranch for Children in Mission, a Victoria Women's Transition House Society shelter and Surrey's Alexandra Neighbourhood House. We built fences and benches, improved accessibility, painted, fixed, mended, cleaned and beautified these outstanding community facilities that offer valuable services to thousands of British Columbians and strengthen their communities. It was amazing to know that we were doing something important, something that helps families and children and will have both an immediate and lasting effect. I have never worked so hard in my life, but those aching muscles were worth it. As one of our managers said, there is nothing better than standing back from the work at the end of the day and seeing the difference you have made as a team. Many of our other programs are just as impactful, yet quieter. Some we do ourselves, others are implemented through partnerships with organizations like the United Way and its associated charities across the province. From distributing 5,000 free "Slow Down, Kids Playing" signs to encourage safer driving on residential streets; to handing out thousands of reflective arm bands to make children more visible at Halloween, BCAA is actively supporting the safety of our communities. Often, it's the personal stories we hear that really bring home to me the importance of what we do. In three years, we have donated 6,000 child car seats to families who may otherwise have gone without or used unsafe seats. One recipient is a new Canadian with limited language skills and two small children, including an 18-month-old with a physical disability. She could not afford a new child car seat and was transporting her youngest in an expired seat that was too small. After getting a new seat and a workshop on how to install it, this mother was moved to tears by the generosity and the relief of knowing that her child was safe. As a father of three, it's a scary prospect that anyone should ever be in a position of having to use an unsafe seat. Her story warmed my heart. We also learned of a mother whose car rolled over in an accident but her child was unharmed. She is convinced it was because the child was so well secured in the seat – even the authorities attending the scene commented on it. This is the story of just one of over 22,000 children who are safer in their car seats thanks to BCAA's child passenger and car seat education in the last three years. These stories move and inspire me and we couldn't do it without you, our Members. Thank you for your Membership, which helps us to give back and make a real difference on your behalf. I look forward to sharing more stories with you in years to come. Paul Healey President & CEO The best part of the job

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