Scholarships

Learn about the recipients of our 2025 Scholarships!

<Photo Coming September 2, 2025>

Rebecca Mosher — Mayerthorpe, AB

For Rebecca, giving back to her community is more than just an activity — its a way of life! She has invested time, since she was very young, into giving back to her community. From volunteering at the local elementary school to coaching soccer for younger children, she not only made a difference in the lives of those she volunteered with but also helped to shape her future, leading her to pursue a career in healthcare.

At the elementary school, Rebecca spent many hours assisting teachers and students. She quickly learned the power of patience and compassion, and how even small gestures of encouragement could shift a students attitude towards learning. This reinforced her belief in the importance of support systems for young people and sparked her desire to continue being a positive influence in her community.

Her time coaching soccer served to deepen that commitment. A sports enthusiast herself, Rebecca found joy in mentoring children and teaching values like perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. Watching the kids grow not only in skills, but in confidence remind her about how much impact she can have as a mentor. These leadership opportunities inspired her to continue building meaningful connections and helping others reach their goals.

Rebecca's dedication to community and her desire to make a different have inspired her career choice. She heads off to university to pursue a career as a physical and occupational therapy assistant. In this role, she will provide one-on-one support for clients recovering from injuries, regaining mobility and improving their quality of life. For Rebecca, the idea of encouraging someone through challenges and celebrating their progress is both motivating and rewarding!

Rebecca's vision for the future are more than just professional goals, they're rooted in her personal values. She hopes to build a stable life where she can provide emotional and financial support for her friends, family and community. Her pursuit of a career that blends compassion, perseverance and service reflects the lessons she learned in her community work volunteering and mentoring.

It's these qualities — local roots, passion for helping others and her dedication to community — that made Rebecca a natural choice for the 2025 Scholarship. Congratulations, Rebecca, your Co-op wishes you the best in your education! We cannot wait to see what you'll do!

Gayoung Park — Westlock, AB

Growing up in South Korea, Gayoung witnessed the challenges of chronic illness as her farther battled rheumatoid arthritis. While medication managed the pain, the long-term side effects took a toll on his health. That experience left a lasting impression on Gayoung, inspiring her to pursue a career in healthcare, combining scientific innovation and compassion.

Later, Gayoung and her family settled into the Westlock area. She quickly became a dedicated community builder. From a young age, she began volunteering at the hospital, offering companionship and assisting patients with mobility issues during their meals. through this experience, Gayoung learned the power of empathy in healing and the importance of ensuring every patient feels supported, especially those without family nearby

Gayoung recognized additional needs in the Westlock community, dedicating many hours to Westlock Adult literacy and to her rural church. Gayoung tutored many immigrants in English, helping people prepare for high school equivalency exams and teaching seniors the digital skills necessary to navigate technology. She also understood the isolation that many rural youth experience, so she organized weekly youth gatherings and community service projects. Gayoungs work in these areas had a ripple effect, adult learners were more confident and wanted to pay it forward by becoming involved themselves, while the rural youth were able to have opportunities for connection but also had the chance to develop empathy and the spirit of service.

Looking to the future, Gayoung plans to continue serving her community throughout her university career, She hopes to empower rural students to pursue higher education, support programs addressing food insecurity and eventually return to rural Alberta to continue her work. Her long term vision is rooted in the belief that healthcare should go beyond treatment, offering dignity, connection and empathy alongside medical treatments.

Despite many barriers, Gayound has remained steadfast in her pursuit of education and community service. It's this resiliance, combined with her remarkable dedication to community, that led to her selection as a 2025 Scholarship recipient. Congratulations Gayoung! We are so excited to support you in your goals for the community and your education!

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Youth Membership Benefits

Learn about how a membership with Pembina West Co-op can benefits you!

What is a Co-op?

A Co-op is a different kind of business. At Co-op, our members are our owners and every dollar spent goes back into our communities! Members can shape the future of our Co-op by attending the annual meeting and voting on resolutions or even by running for the board of directors! Our Co-op keeps our profits in our communities through employee wages and benefits, investing in local initiatives, causes and clubs, and by investing in opportunities for the sustainability of our Co-op. This leads to a more community-focused, democratic model of business.

About Pembina West Co-op

Pembina West Co-op serves the communities of Barrhead, Mayerthorpe, Westlock and Whitecourt — plus their surrounding communities! With over 10,000 members, we are deeply rooted in and committed to our communities. We operate a food store, gas bar and cardlock, home centre and liquor store in Barrhead, a food store and cardlock in Mayerthorpe, a cardlock in Westlock and a cardlock and convenience store in Whitecourt. Plus, we deliver fuel, oils and propane to both commercial and agricultural members! In the past year, we returned approximately $2.3 million to our members.

Membership at 16

At Pembina West Co-op, you can become a member from age 16, although online membership purchases are limited to those 18 and older. If you're 16 or 17 and want to buy a membership, just visit us in store at any of our locations or at the administration office! When you become a member, you immediately begin building equity—your share in our Co-ops profits. In the future, your equity may get paid out or retained as part of your growing ownership stake. You also gain voting rights, access to our lifetime membership benefits and can participate in Co-op governance.

Youth Scholarships and Initiatives

Pembina West Co-op is committed to our future, focusing on youth initiatives. There are two outstanding opportunities for local young people pursuing education and employment. First, our Co-op awards two $1000 scholarships annually to graduating grade 12 students in local communities. To apply, students must submit a form, two references, and an essay on their community involvement and goals. Preference is given to those connected to the Co-op through membership or employment. Pembina West Co-op Team members in grade 10-12 have an additional employment initiative. Each student employed at Co-op earns an additional $0.50 per hour worked, banked into a scholarship fund. Students require a minimum of 520 worked hours per year (Sept-Aug) and employment during your graduating year. Students can redeem funds within one year of graduating, when enrolled full time in post-secondary studies. Additionally, our Co-op supports youth leadership via the Co-op Growing Leaders 4-H Sponsorship, covering 4-H Alberta registration and local club fees.

Careers at Co-op

Working at Co-op isn't just a job — it's a pathway to a career! Whether you're young or experienced, your Co-op enables career advancement across the Co-op Retailing System. Benefits for team members include flexible schedule and competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits package, pension plans with employer contributions and education assistance! Starting as a student employee can lead to managerial roles and long-term careers spanning the CRS!

Why Join?

Joining Pembina West Co-op at Age 16 means more than just becoming a member — you're embracing ownership, investing in your future and benefiting your community! With scholarships, career programs, leadership opportunities and support for youth, Pembina West Co-op equips young people to grow, learn, and succeed. Ready to become a member? Visit your local Co-op today!

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Exclusive Water Park Event

Join us at the West Edmonton Mall Water Park for an exclusive event!

Saturday, November 1, 2025

7:30PM-10:30PM

Tickets only $35 +GST

And Pembina West Co-op Members gert a $10 Co-op Gift Card with each ticket purchased!

Ticket sales are coming soon! Purchase them online at pwcoop.ca/waterpark or at Pembina West Co-op Food Stores or Whitecourt Cardlock C-Store!

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Let's Celebrate!

Celebrate the team at your Co-op!

Celebrate our team with us! Check out the teams below celebrating Co-op Anniversaries in August!

Barrhead Food Team

Adam Smith — 7th Co-op Anniversary
Nika Aliman — 2nd Co-op Anniversary
Kelly Talens — 10th Co-op Aniversary
Liam Carswell — 4th Co-op Anniversary
Morgan Manz — 4th Co-op Anniversary
Nikki Dean — 3rd Co-op Anniversary
Rosebelle Sabidong — 10th Co-op Anniversary
Rosie MacDonald — 17th Co-op Anniversary
Zayda Lucas — 4th Co-op Anniversary
Candace Keown — 15th Co-op Anniversary

Mayerthorpe Food Team

<Photo Coming September 2, 2025>

Jasper Hanyle — 2nd Co-op Anniversary

And so many others!

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Janitorial & Snow Removal Tenders

Janitorial Services Tender

Pembina West Co-op invites tenders for janitorial services at our following locations:

Barrhead Food Store
Barrhead Administration Building and Liquor Store
Barrhead Home Centre

Snow Removal Tender

Pembina West Co-op invites tenders for snow clearing during the months of October through April at the following locations:

Barrhead Food Store/Home Centre Lot
Barrhead Gas Bar/Cardlock Lot
Mayerthorpe Food Store Lot
Mayerthorpe Cardlock Lot
Westlock Cardlock Lot
Whitecourt Cardlock Lot

Find more details at pwcoop.ca/tenders