Nine local charities each benefited from $1,000 donations recently through RBC 100 Mile House Branch, as well as a day of labour by its staff members.
Branch manager Scott Saito says the RBC Day of Service is an annual program that got underway on April 6 to help registered non-profit societies with a demonstrated need.
“Usually they are groups we have already worked with, or we’ve gone out and asked if there is some sort of need.
“Volunteer work must be completed as a team by the first day of National Volunteer Week, the second Friday in June.”
Groups of several RBC employees go out to volunteer for the charity, working for three or more hours outside of their regular work day, he explains.
Then, at the end of the day a $1,000 cheque is handed off to the society as the “icing on the cake.”
Saito notes the work can involve anything from cleanup to assembling equipment, depending on the specific needs.
At least six volunteers must be involved under the RBC Foundation program requirements, three from RBC and three from the non-profit group.
Saito says it is a case of his staff members caring for their community.
With just 14 employees, he explains alternating people to provide a whole day of several volunteers working at nine different charities is quite an amazing feat.
“It was great to see and I think it’s something we can all be proud of. And, it doesn’t hurt to give $9,000 back to the community, too, where its greatly needed.”
Under the group leadership of RBC’s Lucille Armstrong, staff assisted the 100 Mile & District General Hospital Auxiliary and the 100 Mile District Hospice Palliative Care Society in a combined labour effort, he notes.
“We cleaned up the hospital flower beds, did a bunch of weeding, tidied up and helped put up a gazebo in the courtyard.”
The 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre society saw the group set up shelving and general organizing of its supplies, and they also helped the Forest Grove Elementary School set up a playground that is also used by the community.
The RBC employees provided manpower to the 100 Mile House Food Bank Society in stocking up its shelves from its pallets of goods, while for the Loaves and Fishes Outreach, it was a general spring cleaning and set up.
At the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, RBC staff members volunteered at Daddy & Me events where it supervised children in the bouncy castles and other activities, and their work with the South Cariboo Crime Stoppers involved a general community cleanup.
Lac la Hache O.A.P.O. Pioneer Centre also received help with cleanup, as well as in building some shelves.
Saito adds $146,000 was given out last year in the RBC Day of Service grant program across Canada.
Charities can request more information on various RBC grants programs at the branch, or apply for a grant online at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/apply-for-funding/.
