"When they look up in the sky, they will know their money is going directly to saving patients' lives."

That according to STARS President and CEO Andrea Robertson at a funding announcement from Access Credit Union last month.

Access Credit Union believes in the mission of STARS Air Ambulance, so much they recently announced a commitment of $250,000 over the next five years.

The credit union's September 14 charity golf tournament also helped raise $36,424, with an additional $25,000 boost directly from ACU.

Photo courtesy Reuben Schulz

Access COO Myrna Wiebe also raised $34,110 during the recent Rescue on the Island event.

President and CEO of Access Credit Union Larry Davey explains they've chosen to support STARS because of the enormous contribution the service makes, "not only to the communities we serve, but communities throughout Manitoba."

Myrna Wiebe (left) during Rescue on the Island

"Our mandate as a credit union is to continue to invest in causes that better the lives of our members," he says. "And we were fortunate to find a partner in STARS that serves those same areas with the same passion that we have."

STARS is a charitable, non-profit helicopter air ambulance organization that provides time, hope and life-saving support to critically ill and injured patients.

Robertson notes it costs $10 million to operate the service each year.

Local resident Cohen Hildebrand experienced STARS life-saving service first hand

She says the community support is reassuring, "it's people standing up and saying "this is a really needed service.'"

In 2016 alone, STARS flew 619 mission in Manitoba.

Between April 2016 and April 2017 STARS responded to 17 emergencies in Winkler, 10 in Morden, 6 in both Altona and Carman.

Access Credit Union was also recently recognized as the first Manitoba organization to have a logo placed on the side of the Manitoba STARS helicopter.