Credit unions care about their communities. Today, Servus Credit Union named White Whale Creek Farms Ltd as the winner of the 2025 Servus Big Share Contest - a contest focused on engaging members to build healthy financial habits by saving money. White Whale Creek Farms, a family farm-run operation located in Stony Plain, Alberta, are longstanding members of Servus Credit Union and the proud recipients of this year's $1 million prize. Now in its seventh year, this marks the first time that a family-run farm operation rather than a individual winner, has won the contest.

“We never thought for a second we would win this. It truly feels like a gift from heaven,” says Maureen Scheideman. “This money will let us check a few dreams off our bucket list — like a father-son fishing trip in B.C., a riverboat cruise, finally taking that first-class trip to Austria we've always talked about, and maybe even driving in a NASCAR race. Even though we work side by side every day, family is everything to us, and we’re excited to use this opportunity to keep making memories together.” 

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Source: Servus Credit Union

Edmonton, AB — A family farm in Stony Plain, Alberta is celebrating after being named the 2025 Servus Big Share® contest winner. The Scheideman family, Tom, Maureen and Mark, owners of White Whale Creek Farms Ltd., and longtime members of Servus Credit Union, will see $1 million deposited into their account today.  

This year marked a first for the contest: rather than an individual winner, the winning entry came from a family-run farm operation. 

“We never thought for a second we would win this. It truly feels like a gift from heaven,” says Maureen Scheideman. “This money will let us check a few dreams off our bucket list — like a father-son fishing trip in B.C., a riverboat cruise, finally taking that first-class trip to Austria we've always talked about, and maybe even driving in a NASCAR race. Even though we work side by side every day, family is everything to us, and we’re excited to use this opportunity to keep making memories together.” 

Now in its seventh year, the Servus Big Share® encourages members to build healthy financial habits by saving money. Between January 1 and April 30, 2025, Servus members received five entries into a $1 million draw for every $500 of growth in their savings and investment balances. Bonus entries were also awarded for setting up automatic payroll deposits or contributing to registered accounts such as RRSPs, TFSAs, and FHSAs.  

“The Servus Big Share isn’t just about one winner,” says Ian Burns, President & CEO of Servus Credit Union. “It’s about inspiring every member to believe in their ability to shape a stronger financial future for themselves, with Servus at their side.” 

This year marked the first time former connectFirst Credit Union members had the opportunity to participate in the Servus Big Share® contest, following the successful merger with Servus which closed May 1, 2024. Together, the collective member base increased their savings by more than $545 million during the four-month contest period, with more than 8,900 new members joining the credit union during that time.  

In addition to the Servus Big Share contest, Servus shared over $88 million in profits with its members in 2024. Since starting the Profit Share® program in 2009, Servus has returned more than $860 million in cash and dividends back to Albertans. 

“We’re seeing more and more people choose credit unions because they want a financial partner that puts people first,” added Burns. “Our Profit Share® program and the Big Share® contest are powerful examples of that commitment and of the credit union difference.”