The Fort St. John Co-op is proud to announce the distribution of $50,000 to five essential non-profit organizations across Fort St. John and Fort Nelson through its 2025/2026 Community Support Fund. This year’s recipients were selected for their significant contributions to healthcare, seniors’ care, childcare, mental health, and community well-being, ensuring that Co-op profits are reinvested locally to strengthen families, enhance access to vital services, and support both economic and social progress.

The Community Support Fund is an annual grant program designed to empower local charities to complete tangible projects that directly enhance the quality of life for residents. Each year, organizations are invited to apply in October and November for funding that helps move important community initiatives forward. Through these investments, the Fort St. John Co-op continues to strengthen the social fabric of the North Peace and Northern Rockies regions.

“Our Community Support Fund exists because we believe in locals supporting locals,” said Brad Lussier, General Manager at Fort St. John Co‑op. “By partnering with these organizations, we’re not just giving funds, we’re helping to turn Co‑op profits into meaningful improvements for the people who live right here in our communities. These projects reflect our deep commitment to the care, connection, and community spaces that our members and their families rely on every single day.”

The 2025/2026 Co-op Community Support Fund Recipients

Child Development Centre Society of Fort St. John & District:
Serving children and youth with developmental and support needs since 1973, the Centre will use funding to:

• Repair and enhance its outdoor playground.
• Upgrade equipment and resources to increase engagement and participation.

“We are incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Fort St. John Co-operative Association’s Community Support Fund. Their support has enabled us to purchase much-needed equipment including gym mats, dividers, and a pool platform, as well as essential resources for our early intervention program including therapy assessment kits, speech language resources, and sensory equipment. These items directly support our ability to provide high-quality, responsive programming. The Fort St. John Co-operative Association is a true community partner, making a real and lasting impact for children, youth, and families across our region. We are deeply thankful for their commitment to strengthening our community through their generosity.”

— Tana Milner, Executive Director, Child Development Centre Society of Fort St. John & District

Fort St. John Hospital Auxiliary:
Dedicated to enhancing the comfort and well-being of patients and residents at Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa, the Hospital Auxiliary used grant funding to:

• Purchase a new cabinet and 75” television for Peace Villa Residential Care Facility.
• Contribute toward a new bariatric hospital bed for the Trauma/ICU unit at Fort St. John Hospital.
  

“The Fort St John Hospital Auxiliary is so grateful to be granted $20,000 from the Co-op Community Support Fund. These funds will help us attain our goal of purchasing a bariatric bed for the hospital trauma unit and a large mobile entertainment cabinet and TV for Peace Villa residents.

A dedicated bariatric bed in the trauma unit will ensure the room is “patient ready” in an already stressful situation. We will no longer need to source an appropriate bed from another department.

The 75-inch entertainment cabinet and TV will allow for bigger gatherings and interactive social events for Peace Villa residents. These activities help build the sense of community and overall wellbeing.

Thank you, Fort St John Co-op! Your generosity helps everyone in the Peace River Region.”

— Rosemary Landry, President, Fort St John Hospital Auxiliary

Fort St. John Men’s Shed:
Focused on advancing the well-being and mental health of its members, Men’s Shed provides a safe, welcoming space where individuals can work on meaningful projects and contribute to the community. Funding will support:

• Rental of a dedicated workspace for programming and activities.

Northern Rockies Child Development Association:
Providing inclusive and innovative services for children and families, the Association used its funding to:

• Upgrade the lighting system in its main office, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for families and staff.

Northern Rockies Seniors Society:
Committed to enriching the lives of seniors in Fort Nelson, the Society provides transportation services, Meals on Wheels, and other essential programs. Funding will support:

• A kitchen upgrade to expand capacity for the Meals on Wheels program

“This generous support will allow us to move forward with important kitchen renovations that will enhance the service we provide to our Meals on Wheels clients. With the addition of new cooking equipment, we will be able to increase the number of meals prepared each Meals on Wheels day. We will also be connecting our existing equipment to our generator, ensuring that warm, nutritious meals can continue to be delivered even during power outages. This investment will make a meaningful difference for the individuals who rely on our meal program, and we are truly thrilled and grateful.”

— Michele Mitchell, Executive Director, Northern Rockies Seniors Society

A Proven Commitment to Community
This announcement follows a year of significant recognition for the Co‑operative. Fort St. John Co‑op was recently honoured with the 2025 Business of the Year and 2025 Community Impact Awards by the Fort St. John & District Chamber of Commerce, a testament to our ongoing dedication to giving back. This recognition, paired with continued investment through the Community Support Fund and other local initiatives, further strengthens the Co‑op’s long‑standing commitment to the communities we proudly serve.