Over 25 years ago, a group of Investment Advisors at the CIBC Wood Gundy Vancouver Bentall branch decided to do something for disadvantaged children in their community. It was at this point they began contributing personal funds through payroll deductions to fund a hot breakfast program at Mount Pleasant Elementary School. From this origin, the effort grew and so did the money raised into what is now called the CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall: Caring For Kids Fund.
Now, through CIBC Miracle Day (the first Wednesday in December), all Investment Advisors at CIBC Wood Gundy are encouraged to donate one day of their annual revenues to local children's charities. Miracle Day has allowed the Caring for Kids program to continue, uninterrupted, over the years and our efforts have been trailblazing in amount, longevity and inspiration.
Who do we help?
Our Bentall branch has expanded our giving to now provide breakfast for elementary school children at seven schools in underprivileged areas of Vancouver, support for the Vancouver School Board's "Tailored Support" Breakfast, Snack & Bagged Lunch Program, the Covenant House Crisis Care Breakfast Program and the VSB's MoreSports inclusive sports program as an Annual Sports Equipment Sponsor. Most recently, in 2020, we added Backpack Buddies to our list of beneficiaries. In addition, we host an annual "Skate With Santa" event at Britannia Rink, when we meet and interact with the children at schools receiving our breakfast program support.
Weblinks:
Covenant House: https://www.covenanthouse.org/
MoreSports: https://burnabymoresports.ca/
Backpack Buddies: https://www.backpackbuddies.ca/
Our core objective is to fund efforts to help vulnerable kids of all ages in the most effective and transparent way possible. We focus in on programs that provide tangible, consistent impact and are well-defined, repeatable, scalable and accountable.
Fiona is a director and proud contributor to the Caring For Kids Fund.