Corporate Community Backs Launch Of Heating Initiative In Southeastern NB
Dec. 10, 2008
Corporations across Southeastern New Brunswick are supporting a new initiative launched today aimed at helping area residents stay warm.
“This program is an excellent way for the business community and citizens in general to help their neighbours,” said Maura McKinnon, Director of Player Experience and Innovation at Atlantic Lottery (ALC), one of several firms backing the “Heating Up the Holidays” program unveiled at ALC’s regional head office in Moncton. “Each year ALC supports more than 50 Atlantic Canadian events, both financially and through volunteerism. Community is at the heart of everything we do.”
Donations to the Heating Up the Holidays program can be made at any RBC Royal Bank branch in Southeastern New Brunswick or at ALC from Dec. 10 to Jan. 16.
“The funds collected will be used to help area residents struggling to pay their oil bills,” says Glen Dormody, RBC’s Regional Vice President for Eastern N.B. and P.E.I. “The weather outside is cold enough; no one should have to be cold in their home as well.”
While the bank is collecting the donations, staff with YMCA of Greater Moncton’s Reconnect program will actually coordinate applications from those interested in receiving assistance through the program. (Interested citizens can phone Reconnect at 856-4362.)
The Heating Up the Holidays program announced today stems from a concept developed last year by Matt Eagles of Moncton, an employee with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ Global Reservation Centre in Moncton.
While on leave from Fairmont to work as a loaned representative with the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region, Eagles fielded a phone call from a woman who was ill and having trouble paying for her home heating oil. To help the lady and others like her, Eagles came up with the idea of challenging Metro Monctonians to take money they might spend on hostess gifts for Christmas parties and instead make a donation to an oil fund for those experiencing financial difficulties.
This year, the initiative has grown as a result of a partnership between YMCA of Greater Moncton, RBC Royal Bank, Co-Op Fuels and the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region Inc.
Zane Korytko, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Moncton, says that while there is no specific financial goal for Heating Up the Holidays, the hope is that everyone will be kept warm over the coming months and connected to the supports they need.
“This is a grassroots opportunity for the community to get involved in providing extra support to help vulnerable individuals and families,” said Korytko.
During today’s press conference, representatives of Atlantic Lottery and Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. challenged downtown business owners and staff to support the program by making a donation on behalf of their employees, employers, or whomever they wish at ALC or an RBC branch.
“We’re hoping that the local business community really steps up to the plate and contributes generously,” said Daniel Allain, Executive Director of Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. “I can’t think of a better time of year to think about others and truly make a difference.”
Debbie McInnis, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region, applauded all of those involved in the Heating Up the Holidays initiative for their support.
“We’re pleased to have been able to bring the various partners together to create an opportunity for citizens of Southeastern New Brunswick to get involved and gain a greater awareness of how the economic crisis is impacting people right here in our community – our neighbors,” said McInnis.
For more information, contact Zane Korytko, CEO, YMCA of Greater Moncton, 857-0606, zane.korytko@nb.aibn.com, or Darrell Vautour, Director of the YMCA’s Reconnect program at 856-4362, darrell.vautour@nb.aibn.com.