TORONTO and CHICAGO , June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Last week, thousands of BMO employees helped local charities and
organizations with more than 340 volunteer projects in communities across Canada and the U.S.
for BMO Volunteer Day.
Launched in 2001, BMO Volunteer Day is when, each year during business hours, BMO employees devote their time, passion
and energy to strengthen the lives of people in the communities where they live and work.
This year, employees contributed a collective 14,300 hours in support of children and youth organizations, elder care,
food banks, health care facilities, family resource centres, parks and recreational facilities, homeless shelters and community
housing and relief organizations.
"Giving back is at the centre of our culture and reinforces what we've promised for nearly 200 years – we're here to
help," said Cameron Fowler, Group Head, Canadian Personal & Commercial Banking, BMO
Financial Group. "I am inspired by the work we do on Volunteer Day and am proud of the lasting impact our teams have in the
communities we serve."
"Giving back to the communities we serve is a key element of our corporate culture, and has been for 200 years," said
David Casper, President and CEO, BMO Harris Bank. "BMO Volunteer Day is a very proud
tradition for us, and my colleagues and I celebrated it this year with enthusiasm and very active participation. We're already
looking forward to BMO Volunteer Day 2018!"
BMO Volunteer Day projects included:
- BMO employees in three major cities across North America volunteered in teams of 200
to mark the bank's bicentennial. They partnered with United Way Toronto & York Region, Centraide of Greater Montreal and the American Red Cross to bring to life a Community Wish Day, an urban agricultural
project and 4,000 Red Cross Comfort Kits.
- In Chicago, 53 BMO volunteers worked with the Anixter Center to help individuals
with disabilities take part in engaging events, including games, art and activities.
- In Milwaukee, to commemorate Flag Day, BMO Harris
employees volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee to help kids create
a Flag Art project to represent their community in a parade led by the Milwaukee Bucks' mascot.
- In the Greater Toronto Area, more than 139 BMO employees participated in 14
volunteer projects to provide career coaching, mentoring, mock interview and resume writing workshops and skills development
for marginalized members of the community, newcomers and those facing barriers.
- In Toronto, 49 BMO employees volunteered with the SickKids Foundation, which saw
them assemble individual Craft Kits for patients, help to create handmade Father's Day cards, and
accompany patients and their families to story time with the Hospital's therapeutic clown.
- In B.C., BMO employees collaborated on 6 projects to address hunger and food access issues in the province. More than
60 employees provided assistance to local food banks.
- Across Canada, BMO employees engaged in 11 environmentally focused projects to
support sustainable agriculture.
- For those unable to leave their desks, BMO staff volunteered remotely via telephone to provide career counselling and
advice to youth.
About BMO Financial Group
Since its founding in 1817, BMO Financial Group has followed a principle of corporate and social responsibility and of
reinvesting in the communities it serves. In addition to the generous support from BMO employees, charitable, not-for-profit and
community-based institutions and organizations received more than C$57.3 million in donations from
BMO in 2016, which has helped to build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities across North America.
Web : www.bmo.com
Twitter: @BMOmedia
SOURCE BMO Financial Group