ATB Financial has celebrated its 75th birthday across the province and the Innisfail branch hosted its own party in grand style on Sept. 27.
There was birthday cake, beef on a bun and prizes for the public - an iPad mini and an Alberta-wide grand prize Vespa package, which includes a Vespa scooter and a $300 gift certificate from Alberta Cycle.
“Our mandate is that we want to be loved by Albertans,” said Heather Kirkham, branch manager in Innisfail. “We want to be number 1 in the community that we choose and we want to be the place to work. That is what our philosophy is and we are trying to do whatever we can in order to achieve that.”
Kirkham made three special announcements at the anniversary celebration. She said that staff at the town's ATB branch chose the Innisfail Food Bank as its recipient of a special $1,000 gift.
As well, Kirkham told guests that as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for all citizens in Innisfail, ATB Financial is planting a special blue spruce tree, in cooperation with the Town of Innisfail, at Centennial Park. She also announced the branch was giving away 75 spruce seedlings to its birthday celebration guests.
“This tree not only represents ATB's deep community roots, but also our hope for the continued growth and prosperity of Innisfail,” said Kirkham, who has been an Innisfailian for the past 28 years.
And thirdly, Kirkham said to honour Innisfail's schools, students and teachers, ATB has partnered with St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School to preserve the town as it is today in a time capsule. Kindergarten students at the school each submitted their vision of Alberta for the year 2038.
“One thing we all know for sure is that these young people are the future, and we are very happy to preserve their dreams today, while looking forward to helping them achieve them tomorrow,” said Kirkham.
“After 75 years we continue to give back. We have to give back. You can't just be a taker,” she added. “We need to support. We need to be transparent. We need to build trust and credibility, and we need – A - to be there for Albertans, and B, for all communities alike.”
The ATB Financial birthday party in Innisfail was one of 301 parties the financial institution held across the province. Innisfail's ATB branch first opened almost 66 years ago in December, 1947.
