LCBO stores raise funds for March of Dimes Canada
Starting March 1, 2010, the public can help support March of Dimes by making a donation at any of the more than 600 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for March of Dimes will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until March 31.
March of Dimes Canada has the goal of enhancing the independence and community participation of people with physical disabilities every day through a wide range of programs and services that support over 40,000 people annually across Ontario. Funds raised through the LCBO donation program will benefit Conductive Education® (CE), an innovative program that blends elements of education and rehabilitation to help children and adults with physical disabilities gain greater mobility and improve self-confidence. The program has proven especially beneficial to children with cerebral palsy, ataxia and other motor-neuro disabilities, as well as to stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
In addition to the CE® program, March of Dimes Canada serves the public by funding programs and administering government-funded programs that provide essential support, such as job placement services, assistive device funding and home and vehicle modifications; by providing important fee-for-service programs to consumers, such as attendant care, recreational and social activities and peer-to-peer support networks; as a supplier to Ontario’s business community providing advanced employee and client care, including assessment services and sensitivity and awareness training; through advocacy and government relations.
“We thank LCBO, its employees and especially its customers for providing this opportunity,” says Mary Lynne Stewart, Director of Fund Development and Communications for March of Dimes Canada. “LCBO’s province-wide store network is a very effective way for us to raise awareness and funds for our organization.”
“We take our community involvement very seriously and are pleased to partner with March of Dimes,” says LCBO President and CEO Bob Peter. “Our customers and staff always give generously to help their fellow Ontarians and we appreciate their contributions to these worthy causes.”
March of Dimes is one of 26 provincial, as well as numerous local charities, that will benefit from the LCBO’s in-store donation box program in 2010. In 2009, LCBO raised a total of $4.2 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $3.8 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO’s annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.4 billion in fiscal 2008-09, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.
March of Dimes thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store during the month of March.