CUMIS celebrates 25 years of donating apples to local community groups

BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Today in Burlington, approximately 100 employees of CUMIS spread out across the orchard on the company's property to pick some 10,000 pounds of apples to be donated to local school nutrition programs, food banks and charitable organizations. It's a scene that has played out each autumn for the past 25 years at CUMIS, where a 15-acre apple orchard has stood since 1946.

Joining CUMIS staff at today's celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Apple Day were Burlington councillor Rick Craven, Meaghan Richardson of Food For Life, and Jeff Martin, the former employee who started Apple Day a quarter of a century ago. Fruit from the 500 apple trees are being harvested and boxed for community organizations to pick up and put to good use.

"Apple Day is one of the most cherished traditions we have at CUMIS. It was created by an employee and has been sustained over 25 years by staff volunteers whose labour makes the donations to local community organizations possible," said Bob Hague, executive vice-president at CUMIS. "There are many ways that we give back to the community, but Apple Day is truly unique. After all, I don't know too many insurance companies that have their own apple orchards!"

The orchard is situated at the front of the company's 140-acre property in Burlington. Planted in 1946, it counts some 500 apple trees including Empire, Golden Delicious, Spy, McIntosh, Mutsu and Red Delicious apples. Every year, dozens of trees are re-planted and the trees are pruned each winter.

About CUMIS:
The CUMIS Group Limited partners with credit unions to deliver competitive insurance and financial solutions. In doing so, it creates financial security and promotes the growth and success of the credit union system in Canada. CUMIS's principal companies are CUMIS Life Insurance Company and CUMIS General Insurance Company, and it has a 50 per cent interest in Credential Financial Inc. CUMIS is jointly owned by Co-operators Life Insurance Company and Central 1 Credit Union.

SOURCE The CUMIS Group Limited

Leonard Sharman, [phone]