Raymond James Cares Month 2017 – The Results Are In!

July 21, 2017

On behalf of the Raymond James Canada Foundation, thank you for participating in Raymond James Cares month 2017! RJCF’s role is to support, guide, connect, facilitate and introduce advisors and associates with charities in their local communities.  “We help our employees and advisors make meaningful connections with charities and communities,” says Janine Davies, Executive Director, Raymond James Canada Foundation. “From coast to coast, Raymond James employees and associates came together to help feed, clothe and care for those in need. We are very proud of your commitments to community, in May and throughout the year.”

 Collectively, we volunteered 2,025 hours in support of 75 charities and non-profits across the country! Over 500 Raymond James employees and associates made positive impacts in their communities by donating their time and talents to local charities with their friends, families and colleagues.

Since 2013, RJ Cares month has brought the generosity of our employees to the forefront. This year, branches from Victoria to Winnipeg to Montreal and everywhere in between, sought out ways to strengthen the communities in which we live and work.

Across the firm, RJ Cares Month supported a wide variety of incredible causes, from food banks and cancer research, to animals and the environment, to vulnerable children and families.

Experienced donors and first-timers rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life with Canadian Blood Services. Across the country we donated 53 much needed units of blood.

Throughout the month, we collected 2,429 pounds of non-perishable food items and raised $6,899 for food banks across Canada.  We supported the Ottawa Mission, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, the Scott Mission, the Medicine Hat Food Bank, and many other community initiatives with donations of time, food, and cash. Our Calgary office made hundreds of sandwiches in support of lunch programs for the Mustard Seed, and in Victoria our colleagues served 355 breakfasts to hungry and very grateful patrons at Our Place. Kelowna hosted a Shred-It event and worked a booth at the Great Okanagan Beer Festival both in support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank. These amazing organizations work hard to feed 860,000 Canadians each month.

Our volunteers helped the fight against cancer through the country-wide Ride to Conquer Cancer, and the Canadian Cancer Society in Vancouver. Our teams also supported families with sick children at the Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan, and Almost Home in Kingston, Ontario. “Jeans Day,” which was held in Vancouver and Montreal, raised money for the BC Children’s Hospital and the Cure Foundation. In Toronto, volunteers supported the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research annual AIDSbeat gala.

Communities across the country participated in environmental initiatives. This included collecting 131 pounds of garbage in conjunction with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. In response to the devastating spring floods, teams in Kelowna and Montreal spent hours helping with the sandbagging efforts to protect the people and property affected by the record-breaking flooding. Teams also supported the welfare of animals, with events at The Toronto Humane Society, Ottawa’s Penny Lane Farm, and the Victoria SPCA.

In Vancouver, volunteers at BabyGoRound put together 60 newborn gift bags and 40 bags of donated organic baby food for families in need, and a team supported the great work of the Down Syndrome Research Foundation by giving their outdoor play area a much-needed face-lift.  In Calgary, volunteers worked with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing to give strength, stability, and independence to vulnerable families in their community.

In addition to serving others, RJ Cares offers employees the chance to engage with coworkers outside the office, meet new people, and create strong personal bonds. After volunteering this year, Paul Allison, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, said, “Put your hand on your heart, does it feel a little bit warmer? You gave more than you know today and I appreciate your efforts to making your community a better place to live in. Your generosity continues to inspire. Thank you for volunteering.”

 This was the first RJ Cares Month that our 3 Macs Division participated in, and we would like to extend a special “thank you” to our new colleagues who made this RJ Cares Month extra special. The Raymond James Canada Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you to all participants who gave their time and talents, and to the team captains that organized opportunities and groups across the country here at Raymond James.  Our biggest, heartfelt thank you goes to the charities who invited us to support their good work. Please join us in congratulating our employees and associates for their efforts during Raymond James Cares Month!

Thank you for making a difference in 2017!

RJ Cares Snapshots

“In my opinion, the RJ Cares campaign goes beyond the basic goal of volunteering, it not only provides communities and organizations with absolutely necessary support but it also allows Raymond  James co-workers to engage and interact in a positive setting which has a direct impact on the RJ culture. I enjoyed meeting new faces this year and will absolutely be an active RJ Cares contributor for the years to come” – Mike Hope, Trading Desk Manager, Vancouver, BC.

Calgary – Habitat for Humanity

“In the Southern Alberta region alone [Habitat for Humanity has] built more than 184 homes and made home ownership possible for more than 250 families, affecting the lives of 517 children” – Dave Rodgers

 Left to right: Sue Rodgers and Dave Rodgers, Financial Advisor

Vancouver – Greater Vancouver Food Bank

“They were wonderful and productive sessions with great groups of people.  Thank you to everyone that came to help out during the month of May. Your support, engagement, and hard work are greatly appreciated.  We look forward to seeing you all next year!” Dorothy Trommel, Community Engagement Coordinator, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Vancouver BC

Back: Ryan Connolly, Financial Planning Associate; Robb Bassett, Manager, Compliance Help; Seamus Swanick, Operations Analyst; Fraser Copp, Junior Operations Analyst; Cheryl Picot, Operations Business Analyst; David Abelseth, Junior Operations Analyst; Johannes Weinmar, Financial Advisor

Front: Teresa Mok, Financial Planning Associate; Debbie Wong, Vice President, Retirement & Financial Planning; Jenny Provost, Executive Assistant; Amanda Collinge, Manager, Operations Performance; Margarita Vasquez, Financial Planner; Justine Hayman, Charitable Foundation Administrator

 Left to right: Andrea Griffin, Marketing and Administrative Assistant; Aiysha Partin, Senior Administrative Assistant

Victoria – Our Place

“I couldn’t help think how humbling and how fine the line is between those able to serve and those in need.  I will definitely be doing that again.” – Andre Valade, Senior Vice President, Branch Manager, Victoria, BC.

Left to right: Christine Edwards, Client Service Assistant; Ryan Cramp, Financial Advisor; Jennifer Thompson, Financial Advisor; Alison Klassen, Receptionist; Andre Valade, Senior Vice President, Branch Manager; Larry Mais, Financial Advisor

Calgary – Mustard Seed

Left to right: Dana Nguyen, Senior Financial Advisor Assistant; David Jung, Financial Advisor; Christina Chow, Financial Advisor; Tish Harrington, Financial Advisor Assistant

Edmonton – Ronald McDonald House

Back:  Thomas Love, Financial Advisor; Blaine Ostapovich, Financial Advisor;  Tage Cawley, Senior Vice President, Branch Manager

Middle: Trixie Rowein, Financial Advisor; Chandra Bradley, Financial Advisor Assiastant; Joan McMillan, Receptionist

Front: Jasmine Hamilton, Administrative Assistant; Kelley Johns, Financial Associate; Cheryl Caswell, Administrative Assistant

Ottawa – Shoreline Cleanup

Left to Right: Sarah Brillinger, Branch Administrator, with her fiancée and his son; Karol Phillips, Financial Advisor Assistant; Daniel MacInnis, Branch Manager, with his daughter Brooke and his son Cooper (holding banner); Sharon Heidinger, and Garry Heidinger, Financial Advisor

Vancouver – Kitsilano Neighbourhood House

“I wanted to send over a heartfelt thank you on behalf of Kits House for supporting Neighbourhood House Week again this year during your Raymond James Cares month.  Your staff of volunteers were amazing to work with and so fun to have around the house.  You are all welcome back anytime! ” – Trisha De Luca, Fund Developer and Event Coordinator, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Vancouver BC

Back: Sean Salway, Tax Reporting Associate; Rebecca Sinclair; Patrick Caffrey, Senior Manager, Operations; Peter Wang, Tax Reporting Associate; Daniel Crean, Senior Manager, Operations

Front: Anna Wong, Senior Tax Reporting Associate; Amy Dumont, Senior Tax Reporting Associate; Kagari Shida, Tax Reporting Associate; Melody Zheng, Assistant Manager, Operations, Tax Reporting

Victoria – Canadian Blood Services

 Left to right: Lincoln Jiang, Sales Assistant; Patrick Flint, Financial Advisor Assistant; Shawn Dunbar, Financial Advisor

Vancouver – Down Syndrome Research Foundation

“A HUGE thank you to the whole Raymond James team for the work you did!!  Staff here can’t get over how great everything looks – so fresh and clean and welcoming!  Your team really did a fabulous job with the pressure washing and plantings.  On Saturday we had our New Parents Series workshop and the little ones were able to happily play outside, and now everything is ready for Summer School.” – Sarah Parker, Director, Finance & Administration, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Vancouver BC

 Left to right: Amanda Archibald, Vice President, Compliance;  Lisa Bjornson, Executive Assistant, Vanda Jones, CRM Support Associate; LJ Eiben, President and CEO Raymond James (USA); Terri McEwan, Institutional Sales & Trading Associate, ECM Conference & Special Event Coordinator; Janine Meunier, Legal/Executive Assistant;  Michael Misfeldt, Accounts Payable Associate

Saskatoon – Ronald McDonald House

“Preparing the meal for the families granted them some reprieve from the daily responsibilities and unimaginable stress they are under.  The families were extremely grateful, and we felt very blessed to be able to give this gift.” –Tammie Atchison, Financial Advisor, Saskatoon, SK.

 Left to right: Susan Tenetuik, Administrative Assistant (with a baby staying at Ronald McDonald House); Tammie Atchison, Financial Advisor Assistant; Susan Milburn, Branch Manager; Chad Woolsey, Senior Vice President, Private Client Group, Financial Advisor;  Dave Hassell, Financial Advisor; Bob Trask, Financial Advisor; Mike Reimer, Associate Financial Advisor; Martha Loewen, Financial Advisor Assistant/Branch Administrator

Toronto – Scott Mission

In this photo: Sandy Martin, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Privacy Officer; Paul Allison,Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; Cathy Dinsmore, Receptionist; Pam Tatroff, Manager, Web Services; Sarah Haney, Corporate Communications & Marketing Associate;  Andrea Thompson, Senior Financial Planner; Moira Rosser-Peterson, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Marketing; Patrizia Aragona, Manager, Marketing; Valérie Dosiere, Manager of Translation Services; Maïlys Assi, Junior Translator; Hemant Patel, Senior Web Developer; Peter Kahnert, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Marketing; Toji Nola, Graphic Designer Marisa Wolch, Corporate Communications & Marketing Associate; Saba Mahmood, Web Developer; Himani Limbachiya, Graphic Designer

Vancouver – Covenant House

Back: Vincent Yuen, Accounts Payable Associate; Mike, Financial Accountant; Jordan Ayre, Mutual Funds Associate; Gilles Marchand, Project Manager; Thomas Raidl, Senior Vice President, Private Client Group and National Director, Independent Financial Services;  Richard Cho, Financial Accountant; Tommy Loo, Subsidiary Accounting Manager

Front: Taran Khabra, Senior Mutual Funds Associate; Tanya Wilson, Financial Advisor; Vanshika Bobal; Jenni Ogilvie, Private Client Group Administration Associate