Employees of the OMERS enterprise have demonstrated a growing desire to give back to the community on a number of fronts. In response to employee input, OMERS recently adopted a “Take Part – Give Back” approach as a way of harnessing employee commitment to the community. In addition to our formal fundraising programs for the United Way and Free the Children, OMERS has teams that support the Big Bike Ride for Heart & Stroke, the Terry Fox Run, the Alzheimer Society Walk for Memories as well as countless initiatives that individuals support. In 2010 OMERS introduced a Volunteer Days program that was eagerly embraced by everyone across the enterprise. OMERS is made up of caring compassionate individuals, who genuinely care about serving our members but they also go the extra mile with their strong desire to make a difference in the community. OMERS is proud to have a team with heart, a team committed to being an integral part of a corporate culture of caring. This program includes charitable donation initiatives, community volunteer efforts as well as a commitment by OMERS to provide support alongside its employees to a three year initiative to support the Free The Children charity.
In 2010 OMERS enterprise–wide employee United Way Campaign shattered its previous records and generated over $900,000 for United Way agencies! This represented more than a 30% increase over 2009. 2009 results were a staggering 47% over 2008! John Macdonald, OMERS Chief Operating Officer has chaired the OMERS United Way Campaign for the last four years. Under his leadership the Committee, made up of enthusiastic, hard working, talented individuals works tirelessly to come up with and execute strategies and creative ideas to continually improve upon the results year over year. Every year United Way Toronto recognizes outstanding campaign results with their Spirit Awards and OMERS is no stranger to taking home hardware. In 2009 John Macdonald won the Employee Campaign Chair Award for running an exemplary campaign with impressive results. At the 2010 awards ceremony Borealis Infrastructure, OMERS infrastructure investment arm was the recipient of the Employee Campaign Award recognizing many elements of their campaign including incorporating best practices and running a hugely successful canvassing program. Read more about the United Way.
In July, 2010 OMERS Worldwide announced a three-year sponsorship with Free The Children, which includes national co-title sponsorship of We Day. Dozens of OMERS and investment entity employees signed up for a variety of volunteer roles for We Day in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, the first of three day-long celebrations of youth empowerment across Canada. By supporting the Free the Children program in this way, OMERS extends its brand into jurisdictions around the globe which supports our strategic initiative to expand our global reach and is a direct benefit to our international investment strategy. Read more about Free The Children.
On September 22, 2011 OMERS Worldwide will host Art for a Change, their second annual fundraising art auction to support this worthy cause. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.artforachange.ca
Beginning in 2010, approximately 400 employees of the OMERS enterprise volunteered to support one of a choice of 10 volunteer opportunities at social service agencies and other charitable organizations. This commitment to “Take Part – Give Back” saw employees helping local agencies across the community. This program is being repeated in 2011 in direct response to our employees enthusiastic response to the initiative and their dedication to support the broader community.
OMERS Employees Take part. Give back.
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