Mackenzie Investments' initiative encourages employees to give back
From April 23-29, Canada is recognizing the contributions of volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week. According to Statistics Canada, six in 10 Canadians donate their time to volunteering.1 In 2013, Canadians volunteered close to two billion hours or the equivalent of one million full-time, year-round jobs.2
Being active members of the community is an important part of Mackenzie Investments. From sorting food at the North York Harvest Food Bank to helping at a local marathon, our employees can be found volunteering with a variety of organizations and in different capacities. Last year, six members of our Client Engagement and Experience Team lent their time to gift wrap presents and fundraise for Epilepsy Toronto, an organization that provides counselling services for individuals or families dealing with epilepsy. Matthew de Ruyter, Innovation and Engagement Specialist, was part of that volunteer outing and credits the paid volunteer day initiative as the perfect opportunity to give back and team build.
“The paid volunteer day really shows how committed Mackenzie is to the community,” says Matthew. “I try to take advantage of it every year to meet the people that are the backbone of these organizations. They are the true heroes.”
Epilepsy Toronto is one of the organizations that receive support from the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation. For the past 50 years, it has been the place where Torontonians living with epilepsy can learn more about their condition, get support and be part of a larger community. Mackenzie Investments specifically sponsors the organization’s annual Winter Retreat, which brings together families living with epilepsy for a weekend up north at the YWCA Geneva Park. There, families have the opportunity to learn from physicians, professionals and each other, while also enjoying some down time with their families.
Mackenzie Investments is proud to have employees who make a difference in the community by volunteering. If you’d like to do the same, visit the Volunteer Canada website for more information.
1 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-652-x/89-652-x2015003-eng.htm#a1
2 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-652-x/89-652-x2015003-eng.htm#a2
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