A $1 Million Donation from the Big Five Banks to the Vimy Visitors Education Centre will honour the memories of those who served Canada in the Great War

Centre will open in time for Vimy centennial in 2017

TORONTO, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Canada's five largest banks jointly announced gifts of $200,000 each to the Vimy Foundation, towards the building of the Vimy Visitors Education Centre in France. The donations from BMO Financial Group, CIBC, RBC Foundation, Scotiabank and TD Bank Group total $1 million and will be used to create a unique 'Education & Presentation Room' in which students from around the world will learn about Canada's significant role during the First World War. 

"We are thrilled that the five big banks have stepped up and made this generous contribution to the new Vimy Visitors Education Centre," said Jeremy Diamond, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation. "The new Centre will act as a destination point for Canadians, especially our youth, to learn more about the battle of Vimy Ridge and ensure the sacrifices of the First World War are never forgotten." 

In 2017, Canada will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a pivotal event in our history, and the Vimy Foundation is planning activities in both Canada and France. The Vimy Visitors Education Centre will focus on telling the stories of Canadians who fought and died there, why Vimy remains special to the Canadian soul, and how Vimy, and other First World War battles at which Canadians fought, forever altered Canada's status on the world stage. More information is available at www.vimyfoundation.ca

Representatives from each of the five banks will be recognized tonight at the annual Vimy Foundation Gala being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be attended by more than 600 guests from the business, political and military communities.  

Vimy Foundation

Founded in 2006, the Vimy Foundation is a charitable organization that preserves and promotes Canada's First World War legacy, as symbolized by the victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917.

SOURCE VIMY FOUNDATION

For media inquiries: Jessica Leroux, BMO Financial Group, 416-867-8966, [email protected]; Caroline Van Hasselt, CIBC, 416-784-6699, [email protected]; André Roberts, RBC Communications, 416-313-7436, [email protected]; Erin M. Truax, Scotiabank, 416-933-2592; [email protected]; Erin Baldwin, TD Bank Group, 416-307-0670, [email protected]; Jennifer Jones , Vimy Foundation, 416.595.1917, 647.504.2220 (cell); [email protected]