REGINA, Aug. 25, 2011 /CNW/ - Co-operators Life Insurance Company today announced $56,550 worth of donations in support of four Saskatchewan charitable organizations. The donations focused on organizations that promote health and wellness through educational programming.

"These four organizations provide incredibly valuable services to people in Saskatchewan," said Kevin Daniel, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Co-operators Life Insurance Company. "Their focus on illness and disease prevention, and their approach to public education and skills development are making a meaningful difference the community where we live and work."

The following donations were announced:

Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan
The Society's mission is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to promote the search for a cause and cure. The $15,000 donation will be used to take proactive measures through education to increase the awareness and understanding of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross is a humanitarian service organization offering RespectED Violence and Abuse Prevention education in Regina for more than ten years. They partner with community agencies to build their capacity to deliver these programs themselves. The donation of $6,550 will support the second year of a partnership the Red Cross has developed with Co-operators Life Insurance Company and the Regina Public School Division in delivery of this program.

AIDS Program South Saskatchewan (APSS)
APSS is a community-based charitable organization that helps men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Regina and Southern Saskatchewan. As education and awareness campaigns have shown to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the $20,000 donation will support the education co-ordinator at APSS. The education co-ordinator will develop, plan and implement a HIV prevention and health promotion program targeted to diverse groups.

The Arthritis Society - Saskatchewan Division
The mission of The Arthritis Society is to search for the underlying causes and subsequent cures for arthritis, and to promote the best possible care and treatment for people with arthritis. The donation of $15,000 will help the Arthritis Association and various medical experts deliver forums covering topics such as current and future treatments, programs and services available, self-managing techniques to reduce or minimize the disease progression, and provide information about other available resources, including treatment.

About Co-operators Life Insurance Company
Co-operators Life Insurance Company, with its head office in Regina, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Co-operators Group Limited. Through its operating subsidiaries, The Co-operators offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $41 billion in assets under administration. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is ranked #1 among the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights, and listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.