Press Releases
Hbc Announces ‘Great things for Canada’ with launch of
November 8, 2005, Toronto, ON - Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) is helping Canadian athletes achieve great things through a seven-year, $20 million fundraising drive. Hbc locations – the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters, Designer Depot and Fields - across Canada will participate in the initiative that will raise nearly $3 million annually until 2012.
“The road to an Olympic medal starts in communities across Canada; many of which have an Hbc store,” said George Heller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hbc. “It’s our hope that our fundraising initiatives – with the help of our customers and associates will send more Canadian athletes to the podium. Whether they are competing at the Paralympic, the Olympic, or Commonwealth Games, or training to get there – Hbc is a committed partner to help them achieve their dreams and the dreams of all Canadians.”
Hbc’s athlete fundraising initiatives include an inspirational ‘Cut-Out’ program that will allow Canadians to financially support our athletes while sending a written message to them at the games; a Donate your Hbc Rewards Points program at all locations; the annual Hbc Golf Tournament and the donation of proceeds from the sale of specific items. Our pinnacle fund-raising event, the Hbc Run for Canada, will be held on July 1st in 10 communities across Canada.The 10 km run, 3 km walk, 1 km kids run will provide Canadians with a national event to help support our athletes. Proceeds from all these events will go to individual athletes, elite training facilities and national organizations, to help ensure Canada’s athletes are prepared to compete on the world stage.
Specifically, there are 5 designated recipients of the Hbc Foundation funding:
Individual Canadian athletes
Commonwealth Games Canada
Paralympics
7 Canadian Sport Centers
Own The Podium fund
Hbc has a proud legacy of outfitting Canadian amateur athletes for competition.From clothing Canadian Olympic winter teams from 1936 to 1968, to the ongoing relationship with Canada’s Commonwealth Games, Hbc is fully committed to supporting the hopes and dreams of Canada’s amateur athletes
“I think it’s clear that Hbc and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) share the same core values and beliefs,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “We are truly delighted to be partnered with a company that has such a long tradition of supporting Canada’s best.”
“Hbc’s $20-million contribution to support athletes over the next seven years will create one of the largest athlete funds in the country,” said Chris Rudge, CEO, Canadian Olympic Committee.“We are proud to partner with Hbc in managing this fund and congratulate George Heller and Hbc for their vision in helping Canadian athletes to achieve their goals.”
The Hbc Foundation is a leading charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians through programs that reflect our distinct Canadian values. Each year, by working closely with local and national organizations across the country, we will invest approximately $11 million towards three key areas: building healthy families, creating strong communities, and inspiring Canadians.
Hudson's Bay Company, established in 1670, is Canada's largest department store retailer and oldest corporation. The Company provides Canadians with the widest selection of goods and services available through retail channels that include 550 stores led by the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters chains. Hudson's Bay Company is one of Canada's largest employers with 70,000 associates and has operations in every province in Canada.
The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, RBC Financial Group, Hbc, RONA, Petro Canada and GM Canada.
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For more information:
Geri McCuish
Hudson’s Bay Company
416-861-6171
geri.mccuish@hbc.com
Eric Michalko
Manager, Communications, Canadian Olympic Committee
416-324-4146, cell: 416-528-6742
emichalko@olympic.ca
Chris Brumwell
Media Relations Manager, VANOC
778-328-6269, cell: 788-327-8282
chris_brumwell@vancouver2010.com
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