- Funds will go towards critical repairs and renovations to Centre of Hope

- Cheque presentation at CIBC Barrington and Duke branch at 11 a.m. with photo opportunities

HALIFAX, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Today at 11 a.m., CIBC will celebrate its $100,000 commitment to The Salvation Army in Halifax with a donation presentation at the CIBC Barrington and Duke branch. CIBC's donation will go towards repairs and upgrades beginning this year to The Salvation Army's Centre of Hope on Gottingen Street. The funds will help restore The Salvation Army's flagship social services facility including the Booth Centre, home to a 40-bed men's shelter and a 19-bed rehabilitation program for men with addictions.

"CIBC's outstanding gift to our Operation: Building Hope capital campaign has made a huge difference," says Major Larry Martin, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army. "The critical repairs and renovations taking place this year at our Centre of Hope on Gottingen Street were made possible by leadership level gifts like the one made by CIBC. We couldn't do this without their support, and we greatly appreciate CIBC's partnership in making our community a better place for all citizens."

Over the course of its lengthy history in Halifax, CIBC has made a difference by supporting a wide range of community-based organizations. In the past three years alone, the bank has contributed $650,000 to local organizations including the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation, capital campaigns for local universities and colleges, the YMCA and The Salvation Army, among others.

"At CIBC, we are committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of our employees," said Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President of CIBC Retail Markets for Eastern Canada.

"Terry Gardiner, CIBC's Market Vice-President for the Atlantic Market, is a great example of how our employees are involved in the community," Vinet continued. "Terry has served on The Salvation Army's capital campaign cabinet and is Chair of the Advisory Board, overseeing the work of transforming the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the community."

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, 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 2009, $26.8 million was contributed through the CIBC group of companies to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.