Caring for Kids at Vancouver Bentall

About Caring for Kids at Vancouver Bentall

In 1992, a group of Investment Advisors at the Vancouver Bentall office of CIBC Wood Gundy felt compelled to make a difference in the lives of children in our community.  The origins were modest, but the goals were ambitious. We felt very fortunate to be doing business in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Even though we felt very fortunate in our lives, we were aware that everyday a child in the same community went without food, shelter and support. Those same children were routinely exposed to violence, drugs and abuse. We felt the need to give back to the community that has been so good to us. 

We at CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall have proudly sponsored a daily hot breakfast program since 1992, which today feeds more than 750 inner city school children at five separate elementary schools in Vancouver: including Admiral Seymour, Britannia, Grandview, Lord Strathcona and Mount Pleasant Elementary Schools.

Along with this, we have helped to provide a safe refuge for 300 children during non-traditional school hours, where kids can feel safe to be kids. And there's more. The idea was simple; help one Vancouver child less fortunate than our own, at every stage of the day - everyday.  The CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall Caring for Kids Fund is built around this ideal. Over the years, the advisors of CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall have invested over $2.5 million into Vancouver’s Inner City school children.

CIBC Miracle Day

Three decades ago, Investment Advisors at the 42^nd Street branch in Toronto decided to donate their commissions for one business day to children's charities. The initiative was named Miracle on 42^nd Street, and in that first year over $160,000 was raised. Since 1984, the goal to invest in children has not changed. Their generosity has grown into one of Canada's largest one-day corporate fundraising events devoted to children, with nearly $80 million raised in our communities across Canada.  Each year, on the first Wednesday in December, CIBC World Markets sales and trading staff and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors, across Canada and around the world, elect to donate their fees and commissions to local children's charities.

CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall: Skate with Santa

The CIBC Wood Gundy at Bentall office chooses to direct the funds raised through Miracle Day to the Caring For Kids Fund, which is our office foundation.  Through the Fund, we direct money to our Hot Breakfast program and other worthy local children’s charities. To celebrate this special day, every year we reserve the Britannia Ice Rink and host all of the children who are a part of our Hot Breakfast Program to a day of skating. Boston Pizza generously donates pizza and of course, there is a special appearance by Santa! This is an annual highlight for both the children and for the employees of the Bentall office.

Previously Supported Programs:

KidSafe: Hot Breakfast program and safe haven during times when school is not in session.

Big Brothers Mentor Program DTES: UBC medical students mentoring kids in the DTES.  We were the 2015 recipient of the Ralph Jordan Award for Excellence in Mentoring.

Family Services (RSVP): Respect, Safety & Violence Prevention for Inner City Kids

The Odd Squad: A powerful drug prevention message delivered by the VPD.

Kids Up Front: An unused ticket consolidator which gives children the opportunity to attend local sporting/entertainment events.

Website Links:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Adopt+School+Philanthropy+without+fanfare/7602926/story.html

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/breakfast-program-vulnerable-students-gets-big-boost