CIBC clients and employees in BC and Yukon raise $435,000 for the BC
Children's Hospital Foundation

Corporate donations and the generosity of CIBC employees and clients contributes $6 million since 1995 to support the growing needs of the hospital

VANCOUVER, June 7 /CNW/ - CIBC is pleased to announce that the bank's clients and employees throughout BC and the Yukon have raised $435,000 during the 2010 BC Children's Hospital Fundraising Campaign, with funds still coming in. This brings the total amount raised since 1995 by CIBC's clients and employees through the annual fundraising campaign for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) to $6 million, which includes $1.3 million in corporate donations from CIBC.

Since March, more than 4,000 employees in 150 branches in BC and the Yukon have conducted a variety of fundraising initiatives to support the growing needs of the hospital. These include raffles for signed Canuck jerseys, Slo-Pitch, BBQ's, garage sales, silent auctions, book sales, bake sales.

Sunday, June 6, marked the BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend Telethon and the finale of the three-month campaign, where CIBC presented the $435,000 raised through the generosity of its clients and employees to the hospital.

"CIBC and its employees have always been strong supporters of BC Children's Hospital and we are grateful for their contributions," said Sue Carruthers, President and CEO of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. "The funds that we receive from CIBC are critical to ensuring the hospital has updated equipment and that caregivers and researchers have the resources they need to care for our children. CIBC, its clients and employees have been making a difference in the lives of BC's sick and injured children for many years. Their generous support has helped transform BC Children's Hospital into one of North America's leading pediatric hospitals and the largest full-service child health centre in Canada, serving one million children in BC and the Yukon."

"These impressive results are truly a reflection of the hard work and passion of our employees across BC and the Yukon and the generosity of our clients year after year," said Mike Stevenson, CIBC's Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Western Canada. "Some have personally experienced care at BCCH with their own children and others are inspired by stories from colleagues, friends and family. We all understand that research and the latest technology and equipment really does have an impact on a child's care."

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 2009, $26.8 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.

For further information: Doug Maybee, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, CIBC, Tel: [phone], [email protected]