Companies Giving Back More Than Ever to Homeless Kids at Covenant House

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One of our Canadian values is the strong desire to lend a hand to neighbours and friends in times of need. - President and CEO of Purolator, Patrick Nangle

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) December 24, 2013

Christmas is a little brighter for homeless youth at Covenant House Toronto, because many corporate donors and volunteers have chosen to spend their time and charity dollars with them.

In addition to their time, all corporate volunteer teams also donate funds to support the programs at Canada’s largest homeless youth agency. Many give additional gifts of useful items and food. The volunteer groups also receive a full tour of the extensive facilities at Covenant House Toronto to learn more about the life-changing programs that help youth move from a life on the street to a life with a future.

The president and CEO of Purolator Patrick Nangle, along with his executive team, chopped veggies and prepared the lunch for youth. “One of our Canadian values is the strong desire to lend a hand to neighbours and friends in times of need,” explains Nangle. He also showed his support last month at the Executive Sleep Out.

The Home Depot sent a group to sort Christmas gifts. Along with a donation of $5,000, they brought a large donation of items to provide comfort and cheer to the homeless youth who will be spending time at Covenant House Toronto over the holiday.

Intact Financial sent a team over for the second year in a row to pack over two hundred backpacks filled with Christmas gifts for youth.

A law firm, insurance company, a telecom company and a few marketing agencies have all come by to help with food prepping and serving, sorting clothes and organizing storage areas. Some of the volunteering has been physically challenging and has saved the agency the cost of equivalent staff time.

“It’s really heartening to see companies rolling up their sleeves to help our kids,” says Pamela Bastedo, the corporate liaison at Covenant House. “It is also wonderful when corporate volunteers take to time to come to Covenant House and see firsthand the difference their donations make to homeless youth. It means a lot to our kids that people in the community care about them –especially at Christmastime.”

Covenant House, the country’s largest homeless youth agency, offers the broadest range of services under one roof, including crisis shelter and longer-term housing, employment and educational assistance. To do all of this, the agency relies on donors for 80 percent of its $20-million annual operating budget.

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