One day of fundraising; 365 days of making miracles happen for kids-in-need

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2014 /CNW/ -  CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) thanks its clients, Wholesale Banking employees and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors for making the 30^th annual CIBC Miracle Day™ an outstanding success, raising a new record of more than $5 million for children's charities across Canada.

Since 1984, on the first Wednesday of every December, CIBC traders and advisors donate their trading fees and commissions to make miracles happen for kids-in-need. Today, CIBC Miracle Day is one of the largest one-day corporate fundraising events devoted to children's charities in Canada and has raised $79 million in the last 30 years.

"Every donation has the power to improve the lives of children in our communities," says Harry Culham, Group Co-Head of Wholesale Banking and Chair of the CIBC Children's Foundation. "It is due to the tremendous dedication and generosity of our clients, employees and celebrities who came out to help, that we are able to provide thousands of children with a brighter future."

Special celebrations were held on CIBC trading floors and in offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, New York, London and Hong Kong. Sports legends, celebrities and musicians volunteered their time to brighten the lives of children, participate in charity donations, speak to clients and add an element of excitement to the day. Renowned Canadian producer and composer, David Foster helped kick off CIBC Miracle Day a week earlier at a special client event in Toronto.

"It all started 30 years ago when CIBC Wood Gundy's now-famous Tim Miller brought together a group of Investment Advisors who shared his vision that every child should experience the joy of the holiday season," says Monique Gravel, Head of CIBC Wood Gundy. "Timothy believed that we could make miracles happen. It is amazing to see what he started in one office has grown into an annual CIBC tradition that has contributed so much to improve the lives of children around the world."

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

About CIBC Miracle Day

CIBC Miracle Day is the annual flagship fundraising event for the CIBC Children's Foundation. On CIBC Miracle Day, CIBC's wholesale banking employees and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors donate their fees and commissions to organizations that support kids in our communities. Since 1984, through the efforts of employees and clients, more than $228 million has been raised for hundreds of children's charities in Canada and around the world. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/miracleday.

SOURCE CIBC

Image with caption: "Retired basketball star and fan favourite Jerome (Junkyard Dog) Williams entertains ukulele players from the John English Middle School at the 30th annual CIBC Miracle Day on CIBC's trading floor in Toronto Wednesday. CIBC presented MusiCounts with a $75,000 cheque to help schools provide musical instruments. (CNW Group/CIBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141217_C9195_PHOTO_EN_43306.jpg