When it comes to community, Ladysmith is lucky that it has so many organizations that believe in helping and a strong business community, as well, that believes in giving back.
The Ladysmith and District Credit Union prides itself on being one of the cornerstones of this, exemplifying what it means to care about where we live.
“We have been sponsoring events in Ladysmith since 1947," said Credit Union Manager John de Leeuw. "Over the years there are too many to count, but some of our ongoing sponsorships include: Light Up Night, Ladysmith Show ’n’ Shine, Brits on the Beach, Ladysmith Grand Christmas, Ladysmith Old Tyme Christmas, Ladysmith Family and Friends, Ladysmith Minor Baseball, and scholarships at Ladysmith Secondary School, to name a few.
"In addition, the LDCU is a strong supporter of a variety of the arts. We sponsor the Chemainus Theatre, Ladysmith Little Theatre, Arts on the Avenue, and the local Arts Council.”
One of the special events that really brings out a crowd is the town’s annual summer party, Ladysmith Days. For the past 19 years the credit union has been sponsoring the fireworks display that wraps up the long weekend event and 15 years ago they initiated and sponsored the Kids ‘Count Fun Zone.
“The Kids ‘Count Fun Zone on the Sunday of Ladysmith Days is a family oriented event which includes bouncy castles, Mega obstacle course, Mega slide, face-painting, balloon-making, climbing wall, balloons and other prizes for children of all ages,” deLeeuw said. "We really believe in family activities and seeing having fun together.”
This year the fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4 and they will be set off from the barge and crew donated by Saltair Marine Services from the middle of Ladysmith Harbour.
“It had been brought to our attention that Ladysmith Days was starting to fade with many events not being held," deLeeuw said. "We had a full staff meeting and some of our long-time Ladysmith resident employees mentioned the fond memories they held of Ladysmith Days. We made a determination, at that meeting, that we wanted to create those memories for children and families. From that, the Kids ‘Count Fun Zone was born. Indeed, not a single year goes by that we don’t have one or more parents asking where they can buy tickets to allow their child onto one of the bouncy castles. All our staff volunteers are proud to say it is free, sponsored by Ladysmith & District Credit Union.”
The credit union has recently offered the Arts Council space to display local artists’ work in the newly renovated Ladysmith branch.
“Some of the significantly larger donations, in the past, have been to the creation of the Ladysmith Amphitheatre, the Skatepark, the Spray Park, the playground at Brown Drive Park, the Coast Salish Canoe at Transfer Beach, along with the playground there and the original Ladysmith trolley,” deLeeuw said.
“Besides Ladysmith Days and the fun we can help to create are the annual bursaries we can give out to local students," he said. "Every year we offer a minimum of six scholarships to graduating students of Ladysmith Secondary School. These include the largest scholarship given at the school, the LDCU Scholarship in honour of John Ulinder, one of our founders. Currently this scholarship value is $6,000, and we review it regularly to ensure it has clear material value to a post-secondary student.
"Another scholarship we offer is for young ladies that demonstrate leadership within the school and community. This scholarship, in the amount of $3,500, is in honour of Helmi Kotilla, one of our founding members and the first female Credit Union board president in B.C. In 2024, we introduced a new scholarship, for a graduating student going into fine or performing arts. In all, we hand out a minimum of $17,500 in scholarships annually. These don’t include scholarships that we offer to the graduating children or grandchildren of LDCU employees.”
Every year the credit union gives out a minimum of $70,000 to $75,000 in the community.
"Our board and staff are very proud of what the LDCU can, and has done, in the community we call home," deLeeuw said. "In fact over the past 12 years the LDCU has donated well over $1 million to events and service groups throughout Ladysmith and the surrounding area.”
