Helping Goodwill Industries build a new centre to better serve the local community

LONDON, ON, Oct. 29 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) will commit $20,000 to Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes to help achieve their goal of strengthening communities through work. 

The presentation will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 30, at CIBC's new Southdale & Wonderland Banking Centre in south London.

"CIBC's investment in Goodwill's mission of creating jobs and helping people achieve work in our community will foster important and lasting social change. CIBC's leadership is critical as Goodwill embarks on increasing people employed from 300 to 500 over the next three to four years," said Michelle Quintyn, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes. 

"CIBC has a long history of contributing to the education and well-being of Canadians," said Larry Tomei, CIBC's Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Central Canada. "We are pleased to make this donation that will help Goodwill Industries create more jobs and better serve the community."

Goodwill Industries is undertaking an $11.7 million re-development project that will see the construction of a Social Enterprise Abilities Centre.  This centre will feature a flagship Community Store and Donation Centre, a community centre, and meeting and conference space.  The Centre will also bring Goodwill's headquarters and two London offices under one roof, creating operational efficiencies. 

Goodwill endeavours to employ disabled individuals and to recycle furniture, clothing and other items.  Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes is one of seven separately incorporated regional Goodwill in Canada and serves more than ten counties in southwestern Ontario.  The organization strives to provide employment services to create opportunity for meaningful work, promoting dignity and independence for people who need it most. Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes employs 300 people and provides employment services to more than 7,000 individuals annually.  Another one million people participate as job seekers, donors, shoppers or volunteers.  

In the last three years, CIBC has committed over $1 million to charitable organizations in the London area.

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.