FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2026
Summerland Museum Receives $10,000 Cascadia Credit Union grant for Student and Internship Positions
Summerland, B.C. — The Summerland Museum & Archives is building its capacity this year thanks to a Cascadia Credit Union grant made from the Summerland Credit Union Legacy Fund, held at the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
The grant is supporting both a summer student, who recently began their role, and a winter intern who will start in September. Together, these positions help the Museum continue its internship program, now in its eighth year.
“The students are always so enthusiastic,” said Petra Holler, Curator at the Summerland Musuem. “They bring energy and curiosity, and they make a real difference in what we’re able to accomplish.”
Interns and students play a key role in advancing important projects, including the Museum’s oral history initiative. The project captures stories from long-time Summerland residents, preserving local knowledge that might otherwise be lost.
“There is so much history held by people in our community,” said Holler. “If we don’t take the time to record those stories now, we risk losing them forever.”
In addition to supporting research and collections work, summer students help maintain the Museum’s public presence, assisting at markets, extending opening hours, and creating more opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with local history.
Many past interns have gone on to roles at cultural institutions or continued their studies in related fields, building on the experience and mentorship gained through the program.
The funding is one of five Cascadia Credit Union grants awarded in partnership with the Community Foundation, with more than $56,000 invested back into the Summerland community this year.
"Supporting the organizations that strengthen our communities is at the heart of what we do," said Lorrie Forde, Board Director at Cascadia Credit Union. "The Summerland Museum preserves the stories that connect us to our past while creating opportunities for young people to learn and grow. We're proud to help support both."
Originally established in 2019 by Summerland Credit Union, the Summerland Credit Union Legacy Fund was significantly boosted in 2023 when Summerland Credit Union added a $1 million gift. With the formation of Cascadia Credit Union, each of the legacy partners, including Osoyoos and Revelstoke, also committed $1 million to their respective community legacy endowment funds.
These endowment funds are invested to generate income each year, allowing grants to be distributed annually while preserving the original gift. This creates a lasting source of support for local priorities, year after year.
The Summerland Museum & Archives has been a cornerstone of the community since 1965, preserving and sharing the stories that shape the region. With this latest support, the organization is better positioned to carry that work forward.
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Contact:
Danielle Kelliher, Director of Communications
dkelliher@cascadiacu.com | 604-551-6651
About Cascadia Credit Union
Founded in 2025 through the amalgamation of Summerland Credit Union, Osoyoos Credit Union, and Revelstoke Credit Union, Cascadia Credit Union serves more than 16,000 members with personalized financial services and community-focused banking through a team of over 100 employees and branches in Summerland, Revelstoke, and Osoyoos. Learn more at www.cascadiacu.com.
