Toronto, July 1, 2007 - Over 15,000 participants, 2,000 volunteers and 270 Canadian athletes came together this Canada Day in 13 communities across the country to raise an astounding $2 million at the annual Hbc Run for Canada.The Hbc Run for Canada is the largest national fundraising event for Canadian athletes.
“On behalf of Hbc associates across the country, we sincerely thank all the participants, volunteers and Canadian athletes for making this year’s Hbc Run for Canada a resounding success,” said Jerry Zucker, Governor and CEO, Hbc. “As a company with a proud Canadian heritage, we are thrilled to see Canadians helping Canadian athletes in their quest to succeed on the world stage.”
The money raised goes directly to 200 competing athletes in the form of a $5,000 bursary. The remaining proceeds will be invested in sport organizations such as Commonwealth Games Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Road to Excellence and Own the Podium funds, as well as Canadian Sport Centres in Calgary, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Montreal and the Atlantic provinces, and the Pacific Sport Institute in Victoria.
Hbc is committed to raising a total of $20 million for Canadian athletes through to 2012. The funds are raised by the Hbc Foundation with the help of Hbc customers and associates through initiatives such as the sale of limited edition merchandise, an annual Hbc golf tournament, a $1 Cut-Out program sold in Hbc Stores, and the Hbc Run for Canada.
Four years ago, the Hbc Foundation launched the Hbc Run for Canada in Ottawa. The 10K run, 3K family walk, and 1K kids’ run, which takes place each year on July 1st, has since grown to include 13 communities, Canada-wide, including: Victoria, Vancouver, Red Deer, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Algonquin Park, Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John’s. The Hbc Foundation is a leading supporter of Canadian athletes.
Hbc is Canada's largest diversified general merchandise retailer, operating in department store (the Bay), mass merchandise (Zellers), specialty (Home Outfitters and Designer Depot) and discount (Fields) formats. With over 580 retail locations and nearly 70,000 associates located in every province in Canada, Hbc provides Canadians with stylish, quality merchandise at great value, through retail banners focused on exceptional customer service. Hbc is a Canadian retail leader in corporate social responsibility, and the fifth annual Hbc CSR report can be found at www.hbc.com.
