BMO Financial Group Employees Give $ 58,600 to Regina and Saskatoon Area
Charities

SASKATOON, April 21 /CNW/ - The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation hosted a Celebration of Giving today, to distribute funds to Saskatoon and Regina charitable organizations.

BMO Financial Group employees and representatives from various supported charitable groups gathered to celebrate the culmination of a year of employee-driven fundraising efforts by the Foundation.

    
    -   The 2009 Campaign raised a total of $58,600 for both the Saskatoon
        and Regina charities, many of whom attended this event.
    -   More than $8.7 million was raised Canada-wide through employee
        pledges and fundraisers.
    -   This is in addition to the $55 million that BMO Financial Group
        contributed in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in Canada
        and the United States last year.
    

One hundred per cent of donations provided through the Foundation are disbursed to charities across Canada, as BMO Financial Group covers all administrative costs.

"Today's Celebration of Giving recognizes the tremendous work of these charities and the unwavering support of BMO employees," said Tracey MacLean, Chair BMO Employee Charitable Foundation Manitoba/Saskatchewan/Northwestern Ontario Region.

"We invest in the well being of the neighbourhoods, towns and regions we serve, because we are a part of them," continued Ms. McLean. "Our commitment to helping meet the needs of the many organizations and groups that make our communities strong is driven by the people who work here. It's something we approach the same way we do every other part of our business: with a full-time commitment."

"We are thrilled that BMO employees have once again joined together to support the Foundation's fundraising campaign," said Ms. McLean. "Last year's results have been a tremendous achievement, and we are looking forward to increasing our charitable support in our upcoming 2010/2011 campaign."

About The BMO Charitable Foundation

BMO Employee Charitable Foundation improves the lives of those in need by supporting thousands of registered charities in Canada through the generous support of the employees, pensioned employees, customers and friends of BMO Financial Group. Since 1999, the Foundation has raised over $64 million for more than 3,000 charities across the country through the efforts and generosity of BMO Financial Group employees and customers.

For further information: Media Contact: Laurie Grant, [phone], [email protected], www.bmo.com