MONTREAL, Nov 2. /CNW/ - Over the next 25 trading days, the CIBC Children's Foundation will donate more than $1 million to children's charities across Canada to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CIBC Miracle Day.

On CIBC Miracle Day, the first Wednesday of December every year, CIBC's wholesale banking sales and trading staff and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors donate their fees and commissions to support the health, well-being and education of children across the country. Since it began in 1984, Miracle Day has raised more than $50 million in Canada. This year, Miracle Day falls on December 2nd.

To kick-off its 25 days of Miracles, the CIBC Children's Foundation is proud to announce a donation of $55,000 to the Giant Steps Foundation. Giant Steps is school for autistic children. For the last twenty-five years, Giant Steps has provided a range of educational and therapeutic services to 70 children from 4 to 21 years of age.

In 2009, the Foundation will donate close to $4 million to benefit a wide range of children's charities across the country. The Foundation helps thousands of children every year, from a hot meal to start the day, shelter in the midst of a crisis, the opportunity to go to camp, be part of a team or learn a new skill.

"On December 2, we work for a different boss - children in need all across Canada," said Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and CEO, CIBC World Markets Inc. "Miracle Day is traditionally one of our busiest trading days of the year as clients large and small know their commissions go to help their favourite kid's charities.

"For the past 25 years, the CIBC Children's Foundation has supported and improved the quality of life for Canadian children. What started with the simple belief that by working together we could make a difference has grown into one of Canada's largest single-day corporate fundraisers for children."

On December 2, CIBC will open its trading floors in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal to media interested in talking to CIBC traders, advisors and senior leaders working to support children's charities on Miracle Day.

About CIBC Children's Foundation

The CIBC Children's Foundation is a registered charity responsible for distributing funds raised on Miracle Day (the first Wednesday of each December) to Canadian children's charities.

CIBC Miracle Day is the annual flagship fundraising event for the Foundation. On Miracle Day, CIBC's wholesale banking trading staff and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors donate their fees and commissions to organizations that support kids in our communities. Through the efforts of staff and clients over $3.1 million was raised in Canada in 2008, for a total of over $50 million donated to more than 1,000 children's charities across Canada since 1984. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Miracle Day. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.

About CIBC

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2008, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million worldwide to charitable and non-profit initiatives. Of this, more than $27 million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com