Donation to help launch the Boys and Girls Clubs' Torch Program

MARKHAM, ON, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) is pleased to announce a $50,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) on behalf of the CIBC Children's Foundation.

The donation is being made in support of the expansion of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's Torch program - the organization's signature junior leadership program. 

The announcement is being made tomorrow, December 4, at CIBC's Grand Opening celebration of its new retail branch on Hwy 48 and Bur Oak in Markham. 

As BGCC's signature junior leadership program, Torch provides youth, aged 10-13, with the tools and knowledge they need to become leaders, to carry out community projects and to make a difference in the community. With the support of adult mentors, Torch members gain knowledge and experience in the areas of community service, leadership, goal setting, teamwork, learning for life, and healthy choices.

"Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is thrilled to have the support of CIBC to help us provide invaluable leadership skill development and community service focused opportunities to pre-teens across Canada through our Torch program, said Pam Jolliffe, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "We greatly appreciate CIBC's demonstrated commitment to Canada's youth through this initiative."

"CIBC and its employees are pleased to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada," says Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and CEO of CIBC's wholesale banking business. "Our continued support of Boys and Girls Clubs across the country is made possible through our employees in wholesale banking and CIBC Wood Gundy, who each year donate their fees and commissions to children's charities across Canada on the first Wednesday in December as part of CIBC Miracle Day."

Today, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading non-profit provider of after school and critical hours programs that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of over 200,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada, Boys and Girls Clubs offer opportunities for young people to develop healthy behaviours, academic success, positive relationships, and essential life and leadership skills. Most Clubs also provide nutritious snacks and meals and many offer emergency shelter, family support programs and other help to children, youth and families in need. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential, for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

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 2010, $33.7 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.