Shelter Gives - Shelter Lending

Our People, Their Passion: Giving Back Together

At Shelter Lending, giving back is at the heart of what we do. In addition to our ongoing support for organizations like Opportunity International and Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, our employees are always looking for ways to make a difference in their communities.

As part of our 2025 Shelter Gives Back program, each team member selected a local charity close to their heart, and Shelter Lending made a $500 donation on their behalf. Every quarter, we shine a spotlight on two of our incredible employees and the causes they care about— celebrating the passion, purpose, and generosity that make our team extraordinary. All of our employees play a vital role in the success of this initiative, and we’re proud to support the organizations that matter most to them.

Milena Jones

Financial Services Coordinator

My cause is: Habitat for Humanity - Canada

I support Habitat for Humanity because I believe that when people take an active role in making their lives better, they feel more pride, ownership, and accomplishment. When families help build their own home, they are not just being given a house. They are helping create a home through hard work, hope, and community support. Knowing they helped make it happen gives them a strong sense of ownership and success and somehow gives the experience a positive spin on a situation that is clearly hard on families.

Affordable housing is a major problem for families around the world. A safe home gives people security, comfort, and a place to raise their children and make memories. Everyone deserves a safe place to live and call home.

As we renovate our own house, we also donate building materials that are still in good condition. This allows them to be reused and helps another family build a home they can be proud of.

I feel fortunate to work for a company that truly believes in giving back. I am thankful that Shelter shares its success and supports causes that are important to all of us.

Craig Williams

Senior Mortgage Underwriter and Investor Relations

My cause is: Canadian Blood Services

With all the troubles going on around the world, it’s no easy task to select one cause but I would like to choose Canadian Blood Services for my charity.
They are responsible for operating the Canadian blood and plasma supply system, as well as the national public cord blood stem cell bank to serve all Canadians when in need of their products and services.

Many years ago, I was in a nasty accident and required 8 units of blood when I first arrived at the Vancouver General Hospital. Without that blood supply availability, the outcome for me would likely have been very different so I am extremely grateful to the CBS and their donors, of which I am now one.
Giving blood is one way that each of us can make a potentially life saving gift at no financial cost.

Paul Eastman

Director

My cause is: nuSarnia

Sarnia has been home for my family and me for more than 35 years. We have been drawn here by its proximity to the natural beauty of Lake Huron, the open country, and meaningful connections on both sides of the border. Through the co-creation and development of nuSarnia, Margaret & I have had the privilege of helping shape a vision for a more connected, active, and welcoming community, one that encourages people to spend time outdoors, move safely through their city, and connect with one another in everyday life.

nuSarnia’s work is inspired by places we’ve experienced around the world, where community connectedness and active living are woven into daily routines. Whether it’s investing in trails, placemaking, or shared public spaces, nuSarnia focuses on practical, people centered initiatives that create lasting local good.

This mission aligns closely with Shelter Lending and Northern Alliance Trust’s core values of gratitude, respect, and making a meaningful difference. Through Shelter Lending Gives Back, we believe strong communities are built by investing locally, working collaboratively, and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life for today and the future.

Dave McKitrick

Chairman and CEO

My cause is: Hope for Kids - Haiti

Hope for Kids Haiti provides hope for the “lost generation” of Haiti. These children are sold as “Restavek“ by parents that can’t afford them. The children are essentially slaves to the buyer and can only look ahead to an abusive and hopeless future. In the midst of this hopelessness, Restoration Children’s Ministry / Hope for Kids Haiti provides nourishment, education, and Jesus’ love. When kids’ basic needs are met, they start to recognize they are known and chosen by God, awakening to a future filled with hope.

It is still not safe for Canadians to visit Haiti so the support goes directly to provide the brave and dedicated Haitian workers with resources to help save the “lost generation”.

Grant Plunkie

VP of Mortgage Origination & Chief Credit Officer

My cause is: Niños Incapacitados

Niños Incapacitados is a non-profit organization that helps Mexican families pay for the ongoing and/or major medical expenses for their children who have serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Niños Incapacitados has worked in the North side of the Lake Chapala area of Jalisco, Mexico, for 50 years. Generally, the organization financially helps children from birth to 18 years of age who are chronically and seriously ill. In very specialized cases, they will continue to assist up until the age of 25.

The assistance provided covers a broad spectrum of medical help that includes consultations; medical interventions; medicines; medical hardware such as braces; psychological help related to the child’s infirmity; hearing aids, and wheelchairs; surgery; and chemotherapy. They also provide transportation to and from medical appointments. Finally, they provide burial assistance when a child succumbs to their injury.

In order to ensure that the most needy children receive help, children and their parents are referred to the charity through the Mexican social service agency DIF. They also partner with local non-governmental agencies such as Shriners to do work and to collaborate in the interests of the children we serve. They help the most needy children who live in our area to access quality medical care through our service.

Amie Greiff-Jensen

Manager of Financial Services

My cause is: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects 2.8 million people around the world. MS is where the immune system attacks the myelin around the nerves in the Central Nervous System (CNS), affecting the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Canada continues to have the highest rates in the world where 1 in every 400 people are diagnosed with the illness, commonly found in more women than men. The MS Society of Canada utilizes donations not only for research but to also assist those living with MS with medical equipment and supports to help with quality of life.

MS is described by people living with it as an illness that is unseen. Even though the person looks perfectly healthy it can be a war zone inside the body. From nerve pain, to numbness, to chronic fatigue.

I’m supporting the MS Society as it reaches close to my heart as I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS back in October of 2016. The MS Society has not only helped me by providing medical equipment that I needed for my everyday life, but they have also made accessible support groups, which has helped me significantly over the years. By supporting the MS Society, it will not only continue to help with research but provide a better quality of life to those living with MS. My heart goes out to those living with MS, we are in this together.

Deenu Patel

Manager of Business Development & Marketing

My cause is: Victoria Conservatory of Music

Music makes the world go round. No matter where I am, I have always found myself surrounded with music. Whether its playing in the background of a busy work day, driving, tasking around the house, travelling, or dabbling on a guitar or drums. Music makes me tick. Having studied music in school and have played live music in all sorts of mediums over the years, I have seen how music impacts people to their cores.

Music is a universal language, and no matter what part of the world you go, there will always be music bringing people together. Its binds people, cultures, religions and even nations. We need music. Music is life altering, music reminds and music heals.

I’m supporting the Victoria Conservatory of Music this quarter, who together with the support of community provide education, therapy and opportunity to all ages and skill levels to discover the power of music. Providing opportunities to learn, play, and even perform, the Conservatory has worked its magic since 1964. More than ever now, the world needs harmony, we need peace and we need music.

Melanie Andriesse

Senior Underwriter & Fulfilment Officer

My cause is: Canuck Children's Hospice

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s more than a hospice – it’s a place filled with compassion, courage, and love. It’s where families facing the unimaginable are surrounded with care, dignity, and kindness.

My nephew spent his final days in their care. In that time, the staff and volunteers gave our family something we’ll never forget – peace, comfort, and moments of genuine connection during an incredibly difficult time. They treated him not just as a patient, but as the bright, brave soul he was.

He was our hero – strong, full of heart, and loved beyond words. Now he’s our angel and honouring him means giving back to the place that cared for him with such tenderness.

In his memory, I’m supporting Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, so that other families can receive the same love, support, and care we did. Their work changes lives, and every donation helps them continue to provide comfort to children and families when it matters most.

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