Toronto – The Teamsters Canada Foundation donated $10,000 to the St. Michaels Hospital Foundation earlier this summer.
The donation will provide food vouchers, clothing, toiletries, phones and data plans for isolated people whose lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic and resulting economic troubles. It will provide tablet computers to palliative-care patients to speak with loved ones who can no longer stay by their side during the final moments of their lives.
Affectionately known as the Urban Angel, St. Michael’s is downtown Toronto’s adult trauma centre. It is also a hub for neurosurgery, complex cardiac and cardiovascular care, diabetes and osteoporosis care, minimally invasive surgery and care of the homeless and disadvantaged. St. Michael’s is also one of the province’s major sites of care for critically ill patients. As such, it continues to be on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
“This pandemic is an opportunity to go above and beyond and to lend a hand to those in need,” explained the president of Teamsters Ontario Joint Council 52 and Local Union 938, Craig McInnes. “St. Michael’s is one of the institutions we believe that could support the most families with the greatest needs.”
Teamsters encourage members to donate to the St. Michaels Hospital Foundation.
The Teamsters Canada Foundation has donated $300,000 to several charities across the country.
“Canadians are showing remarkable solidarity and generosity,” said François Laporte, chairman of the Teamsters Canada Foundation and president of Teamsters Canada. “We have a duty to act when we can help our fellow citizens, and that’s what we’re doing alongside all our partners across Canada.”
Funds raised by the Teamsters Canada Foundation through its charitable activities come from private donations, not from the dues of Teamster members. The Canada Revenue Agency also requires that foundations donate funds directly to charitable organizations rather than individuals.
The mission of the Teamsters Canada Foundation is to help the most vulnerable of our society through charities present in Canadian communities. The Foundation also supports workers who want to improve their lives by retraining or by taking courses to change or advance their career.
