Kids Across Canada Skate with their Heroes to Create Miracles

CALGARY, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, 40 children from Calgary area charities will get a chance to skate with some of the country's sports legends and entertainment stars in celebration of CIBC's 26th annual Miracle Day.

Children from Apsen Community Services; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Hockey Education Reaching Out Society; and Kids Cancer Care Alberta will join Olympic silver medalist Carolyn Darbyshire-McRory; actor Steve Strachan; and CIBC traders and advisors on the ice at SAIT Polytechnic Arena. For some of the kids it will be their first time on skates and for others it is a chance to show their skills off to some of their heroes and the bankers who've helped them along the way.

"For too many of these children, things that most kids take for granted like owning a pair of skates and feeling the thrill of gliding across the ice, just aren't possible for financial or health reasons," says Christine McIver, Chief Executive Officer, Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. "This event is a great reminder that many children need our support and of the important work CIBC's Children's Foundation does in our community."

Since 1984, on the first Wednesday in December, CIBC's wholesale banking employees and Wood Gundy Investment Advisors have donated their fees and commissions to over 400 children's charities across Canada as part of CIBC Miracle Day. To-date, more than $55 million has been raised to improve the lives of children across the country.

Laura Sadler, a 17-year old cancer survivor, knows firsthand the importance of CIBC Miracle Day. For two summers, she attended Camp SunSeeker, which is put on by the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta (KCCFA) for teens aged 14 to 17 and receives funding from CIBC's Miracle Day. "KCCFA's SunSeeker camp has changed the lives of hundreds of teens," says Laura. "I have personally seen how this amazing program transforms lives and instill good qualities in tomorrow's leaders. It helped me realize my true potential as a leader. Without your generosity, I would not have had the chance to have the time of my life these past summers."

"By hosting this event we hope to highlight the fact that many children in our communities continue to need our support," says Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and CEO, CIBC World Markets Inc." For the past 25 years, we have worked with our clients to support and improve 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."

This year CIBC Miracle Day will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

CIBC Miracle Day Skate Details

About CIBC

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, $27 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 communitymatters.cibc.com.

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