HAMILTON and LONDON, ON, Aug. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Thanks to the generosity of its customers and employees, more than $8.2 million was raised by LCBO's Giving Back In Our Community program benefiting a variety of worthy causes across Ontario in 2013. This represents a 24 per cent increase over the previous year's fundraising tally, reflecting LCBO's commitment to making a positive difference to the people and communities it serves.
Of the $8.2 million total, $7.7 million was raised in LCBO stores through customer donations. LCBO's Western Region, which includes Windsor, London, Kitchener, Niagara Falls and Hamilton areas, contributed more than $1.66 million to the total.
A major contribution to the record fundraising was the more than $3.2 million raised for the 2013 United Way Centraide campaign through in-store donations, along with employee pledges and special events. LCBO is the largest single United Way contributor in the Ontario Public Service. The United Way helps people move from poverty to possibility, helps build strong communities and helps kids realize their full potential.
The annual December 2013 in-store prompt and donation box fundraising campaign raised more than $4 million, benefitting MADD Canada and four Ontario regional children's hospitals, including Children's Health Foundation (London), McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation (Hamilton), SickKids Foundation (Toronto) and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation (Ottawa). The hospitals use the contributions to fund alcohol-related programs, research and harm-reduction programs. The funds raised for MADD Canada support its School Assembly Program, through which over half a million students at more than1,000 Ontario schools watch a powerful film at no cost to help prevent drinking and driving.
LCBO also plays host to a monthly in-store Provincial Donation Box Program, which raised $713,500 for more than 28 provincial and local charities last year. In LCBO's Western Region, local organizations included Epilepsy Huron Perth, Ontario SPCA, The Niagara Amputee Association, Simcoe Caring Cupboard Food Bank and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Listowel and District. Provincial charitable organizations supported included Ontario March of Dimes, Sunshine Foundation of Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and Canadian Cancer Society.
Throughout the year, LCBO employees and suppliers come together to support organizations such as Camp Oochigeas, a summer camp for children with cancer, and Friends of We Care, which helps send physically disabled kids to camp.
LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.74 billion in fiscal 2013-14 (excluding taxes), also supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.
For more information about LCBO's social responsibility programs, including the Provincial Donation Box Program, visit: http://www.lcbo.com/content/lcbo/en/responsibility/community.html.
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"We are so grateful for the incredible support of LCBO, its employees and especially its customers who continue to make Giving Back In Our Community a priority," says Susan Crowley, President & CEO of Children's Health Foundation. "Funds raised for Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre will provide specialized equipment to help give tiny newborns from across Southwestern Ontario the best possible start in life."
"We are extremely grateful for the tremendous generosity and loyal support of LCBO customers and employees who raised a record $350,524 this past December," says Pearl Veenema, President & CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. "The funds raised for McMaster Children's Hospital help ensure our health care professionals have the equipment and other resources they need to provide extraordinary care to thousands of children and their families. A portion of the funds will also support a new Teenage Alcohol Use Awareness Campaign."
"On behalf of MADD Canada and the hundreds of thousands of Ontario students who will see the School Assembly Program at no cost, we thank the LCBO, its staff and its customers for their commitment to helping us educate young people and make our roads safer from impaired driving," says Angeliki Souranis, MADD Canada National President.
"The $8.2 million raised for worthy causes in 2013 is a testament to the generosity and community spirit of our customers and employees," says Michael O'Reilly, LCBO Western Regional Director. "It shows that when we work together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities across the province."
Image with caption: "LCBO representatives celebrate the generosity of customers and staff who raised $350,524 for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation, including Pearl Veenema, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation (far left), and Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, President, McMaster Children’s Hospital (far right), as part of the 2013 Giving Back in Our Community campaign. (CNW Group/LCBO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140806_C1135_PHOTO_EN_4656.jpg
Image with caption: "LCBO representatives celebrate the generosity of customers and staff who raised over $148,000 for Children’s Health Foundation as part of the 2013 Giving Back In Our Community campaign. These funds will enable Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences to purchase two specialized beds (pictured) for premature babies. (CNW Group/LCBO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140806_C1135_PHOTO_EN_4657.jpg
Image with caption: "LCBO FUNDRAISING 2013 WESTERN REGION (CNW Group/LCBO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140806_C1135_PHOTO_EN_4678.jpg
Audio with caption: "Statement by Angeliki Souranis, MADD Canada National President: Thanks LCBO customers and staff for raising record funds which enables MADD Canada to deliver its education program about the risks of impaired driving to more than half a million students in over 1,000 Ontario schools this year - at no charge.". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/08/06/20140806_C1135_AUDIO_EN_4659.mp3
SOURCE: LCBO
Stephanie Petroff, LCBO Senior Communications Consultant, Tel: 416 864-6792; E-mail: [email protected]
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