Community Partner Spotlight: Alterna's Big Heart
Published Friday, December 5, 2025
Friendly faces from the local Alterna Savings branch helping to kick-off December's 50/50 at the Thunder Bay 50/50 store inside Intercity Shopping Centre.
Alterna Savings Steps Up for Local Healthcare
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is excited to welcome Alterna Savings and Credit Union Ltd (Alterna) as one of the newest community partners. From the very beginning, Alterna has shown genuine heart, real purpose, and a deep commitment to supporting healthcare for families across Northwestern Ontario. In short, they have become part of the Foundation family, bringing generosity, kindness, and teamwork that fit perfectly with who the Foundation is and what it stands for.
Across their Northwestern Ontario branches in Thunder Bay, Dryden, Rainy River and Fort Frances, Alterna has made it clear that supporting regional health care isn't just “work"—it's The Good in Banking® in action. With over 115 years of delivering on that promise, they believe that strong, healthy communities grow when people show up for one another, invest in local needs, and care about their neighbours.
As a member-owned cooperative serving more than 206,000 members across Ontario, Alterna's support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation has shown how much they value accessible, reliable healthcare for everyone in the region, and they've stepped forward in ways that truly make a difference.
They have taken on a major role in several important community events throughout the year, including becoming the new presenting sponsor of the 2026 Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope, a cherished event that rallies the community in support of the Northern Cancer Fund and the fight against breast cancer. They are also joining the Foundation as a key supporter, and one of the route stops at the long-running Tbaytel Motorcycle Ride for Dad, helping raise essential funds and awareness for prostate cancer.
But what makes Alterna stand out even more is how they show up with their hands and hearts, not just their sponsorship dollars. Their team is volunteering throughout the holiday season at the 50/50 store inside Intercity Shopping Centre, bringing energy, smiles, and a willingness to help wherever they're needed. Their enthusiasm and hands-on involvement speak volumes about their values and their belief in the work the Foundation and Alterna are doing together.
"Supporting healthcare in Northern Ontario is so important to us," says Natasha Zeleny, Regional Director for Alterna Savings. "Our teams aren't just working in these communities, we're members of these communities. We live here, our families are here, and when we sponsor events like the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope or volunteer at community fundraisers, that support cascades into all the communities we serve across the north. It's how we live out The Good in Banking® every day, by being there for our members and neighbours when it matters most, because this is our home too."
There's even more on the horizon. Alterna, alongside the Foundation's events team, is developing an exciting new fundraising event that they will lead from the ground up, with 100% of the proceeds supporting healthcare improvements across Northwestern Ontario. Set to launch in the fall of 2026, it's another example of how committed they are to creating meaningful change and inspiring others to join in.