Money raised will allow the Canadian Women's Foundation to fund programs to support over 30,000 women and children rebuild their lives following abuse
TORONTO, May 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadians have raised $2.1 million in a month-long campaign to end violence against women during the Canadian Women's Foundation's annual Shelter from the Storm, executed in partnership with Winners, HomeSense and Rogers Media.
"Shelter from the Storm is the largest annual campaign dedicated to ending violence against women, an issue which is still a serious problem in Canada with over 61% of Canadians knowing a woman who has been physically or sexually abused," says Beverley Wybrow, President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. "Thanks to the support of individual donors, local communities and our campaign sponsors, Winners, HomeSense, and Rogers Media, we will be able to fund programs that work to end violence."
Shelter from the Storm launched on April 14 with Empower Hour, an hour long group-based workout led by Goodlife Fitness. Over 800 participants in eight cities across Canada raised more than $280,000 for the campaign, including a $100,000 corporate match from Avon and Scotiabank.
Between April 16 to May 13, Canadians showed their determination to end violence by visiting their local Winners and HomeSense and purchasing limited edition products, including umbrellas and rain boots, or making donations at the cash.
"At Winners and HomeSense we strongly believe in the Canadian Women's Foundation and everything they accomplish in the fight to end violence against women in Canada," says Shannon Johnson, spokesperson for Winners and HomeSense. "Thanks to the on-going commitment and generosity of our customers and associates we were thrilled to raise a record setting $1.4 million over the course of the 2012 Shelter from the Storm campaign month."
On May 9, Breakfast Television and Rogers Radio stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Halifax joined forces to produce and broadcast Morning for Change, a live, three-hour, on-air fundraising telethon. Morning for Change raised an outstanding $439,000.
"This was an exciting initiative for us - not only because it supports a truly worthwhile and inspiring organization, but also because of the overwhelming response we received from our viewers and listeners to champion this great cause. It was a stellar example of how impactful our content can be when leveraged across multiple platforms," said Shannon Valliant, Vice-President, Financial Operations, Rogers Media.
The money raised during Shelter from the Storm will support over 450 women's shelters across Canada and programs which help to break the cycle of abuse and empower women and girls.
About Canadian Women's Foundation
The Canadian Women's Foundation is Canada's public foundation for women and girls. We empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of poverty and into confidence. Since 1991, we've raised money and invested in over 1,100 community programs across Canada, and are now one of the ten largest women's foundations in the world. We take a positive approach to address root causes of the most critical issues facing women and girls. We study and share the best ways to create long-term change and bring community organizations together for training and to learn from each other. We carefully select and fund the programs with the strongest outcomes and regularly evaluate their work. We have a special focus on building a community of women helping other women. Helping women creates safer families and communities, and a more prosperous society for all of us. We invest in the power of women and the dreams of girls. For more information please visit www.canadianwomen.org
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