Centra Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Charity Giveaway

Happy Birthday to Centra Windows! We’ve made it to the big 4-0, and we couldn’t be prouder of what our Employee Owners have accomplished over the last few years. There’s a lot to celebrate as we reach this milestone, and we couldn’t think of a better way to do it than through some major donations to fantastic local causes!

Celebrating 40 Years of Centra Windows

Centra started out of Langley, BC, back in 1984, and has since grown to become Western Canada’s leading authority on windows. Centra became 100% Employee Owned in 2019 and has seen incredible success ever since. In the last couple of years, we have expanded into a new province through our purchase of Supreme Windows of Calgary, grown to over 500 Employee Owners, won some major awards, and donated over $2,000,000 to charity.

Centra is a true Canadian success story, and our growth shows no signs of slowing. We have exciting plans for 2025 and beyond, and we can’t wait to bring the love to more communities. Helping people is at the core of who we are at Centra, be it through providing good jobs and the benefits of company ownership or charity work to support those in need. As we look ahead to the future, we are excited for the next chapter of Centra’s journey. With plans for new innovations, locations, and community outreach initiatives, we’re confident that the coming years will be just as impactful and rewarding as the last 40!

Centra Cares: $40,000 for 40 Years

To mark this major anniversary, Centra Windows and Centra Cares are donating $10,000 each to a selection of charities, one in each of our four major service areas. As with so many of the causes we support, these charities were chosen by our Employee Owners.

Alberta: Basically Babies

Basically Babies began in January 1994 when a group of six young moms, each with a newborn, realized the challenges of raising a baby. They decided to help families in need by collecting, sorting, and distributing baby items to those without. Starting small in a basement, they grew into a registered charity, expanding operations to serve more families in Alberta. They partnered with various organizations including abuse shelters and healthcare agencies to provide essential baby layettes to families in extreme need. Today, the organization has a large inventory, hundreds of volunteers, and a dedicated warehouse, fulfilling its mission to outfit newborns in need.

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The Lower Mainland: Cancucks Autism Network

Founded in 2008 by Paolo and Clara Aquilini, the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) was created in response to the lack of inclusion they observed for their son, Christian, who is on the autism spectrum. Their vision was to establish a place where families of children on the spectrum could feel a sense of belonging, and where Autistic individuals could build confidence and thrive. What began as a single adapted soccer program in Vancouver has grown into an organization serving thousands across British Columbia, offering a wide range of programs from sports and recreation for children to social, arts, employment, and mental health services for youth and adults. CAN is dedicated to creating a brighter future where every Autistic individual is understood, accepted, and supported in all community spaces.

Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island Mental Health Society

The Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS) is a non-profit organization that has served the Nanaimo region for over forty years, providing mental health and housing services. Today, VIMHS offers a wide range of services, including transitional, supportive, and independent housing, sobering and assessment centers, and overdose prevention services. As mental health challenges evolve, VIMHS remains committed to providing community-based services that promote recovery, social inclusion, safe housing, and public education, with a vision of creating a society that values and supports all people.

The Okanagan: Mamas for Mamas

Mamas for Mamas is dedicated to supporting mothers and caregivers in crisis, helping those facing poverty-related struggles. Their mission is to address financial barriers and provide ongoing support to individuals and families in need. Although the organization is named Mamas for Mamas, they welcome caregivers of all gender identities, with a vision of a future where no parent or child is left behind. Mamas for Mamas works to break the cycle of poverty, mental health issues, housing instability, and food insecurity. In Kelowna, their branch provides one-on-one and group counselling, mindfulness groups, and a sustainable nourishment program that offers fresh produce to local families.

We want to say a huge thank you to our Employee Owners and our amazing customers who have gotten us to 40 years! We couldn’t have done it without them, and we’re excited to be entering our next phase of growth in 2025 – allowing more homeowners and communities to share the Centra experience.

Western Canada’s Top Choice for Windows & Doors

Have an upcoming window and door project? Reach out to the experts for a free consultation! If you have any questions regarding this topic or anything else to do with windows, contact a local Centra Employee Owner at 1-888-534-3333 or drop us an email at info@centra.ca. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date, and test your window knowledge on LinkedIn.

Written by: Window Geeks

Updated by: Les Ferris, December 19, 2024