Associate Volunteer Efforts
Each year, our associates get involved in helping others in their communities. Not only do they participate in Hbc’s annual fundraising activities, they also volunteer for activities in their communities, such as organizing walks, bake sales, car washes and many other projects.
Associate draws on personal experience to help transplant recipients
Inspired by his twin brother Robert, Toronto head office associate Michael Kolatschek started his own not-for-profit organization. In 1996, when Robert underwent a liver transplant, he did not want it to be an obstacle in his passion to play sports and live a healthy lifestyle. After discussing this with Michael, they came up with the idea of Trans-Sport Canada. Trans-Sport Canada raises organ donation awareness and provides organ transplant recipients and donors with an opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle and participate in sporting events and wellness programs. “We are trying to help people understand the importance of organ donation. All it takes is signing your donor card to give someone a second chance at life,” says Michael. For more information go to www.trans-sportcanada.com.
Zellers staff raises funds to buy chickens for families
A North Bay, Ontario Zellers food service associate hatched a fowl idea at her store this month that's helping to feed families in her city. And now the community can add its two cents -- or more -- to what has grown into a year-long campaign to serve up chicken the last Wednesday of every month at The Gathering Place, a community soup kitchen at Algonquin Avenue and Worthington Street.
"I drive by The Gathering Place when I go home, and I see people standing in line and I thought about what we can do to help," said Evelyn Ranger. Tony Saczawa, the store's business manager, didn't treat the poultry plan as a half-baked scheme. Within a few hours of learning about the idea, the staff had pooled enough cash to buy 20 chickens for the soup kitchen. Zellers associates have since collected about $1,000 which will be used to buy more than 100 chickens -- surpassing their goal of 50 birds -- that will be roasted at its in-store restaurant.
How much can one person do?
Designer Depot associate Charmaine Scott contributes to the Windsor community in so many ways that most people wonder how she finds the time. Every holiday season Charmaine organizes a holiday gift program for dozens of local youth and families, and is the head of the Windsor Designer Depot’s fun committee.
She is also a foster mom for teenage youth offering a meal and warm bed for those who need it. Charmaine exemplifies the Hbc spirit and inspires those around her to be the best person they can be every day.
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