Local insurance community rallies around Grandview Kids with a Donation of $400,000

OSHAWA, ON – Representatives from 12 Durham Region Insurance Brokerages along with Intact Insurance will present a cheque for $400,000 to Grandview Children’s Centre and Foundation during the ceremonial puck drop at the Oshawa Generals’ hockey game on November 25, 2016.

The proceeds from this generous donation will not only support services at Grandview Children’s Centre, it will also help fund the construction of a new headquarters for the paediatric outpatient rehabilitation facility.

In November 2015, Grandview received the donation of a 5-acre parcel of land from the Town of Ajax to build its new headquarters. The existing headquarters of Grandview, located in Oshawa, Ontario, was built in 1983 to serve 400 children and youth with special needs.  Grandview’s demand has now reached 8,200 kids including over 2,600 on a waitlist.

“Like Grandview, insurance brokers are here to help people manage when the unexpected happens,” explained Eleanor Damant, President of James Insurance Brokers of Bowmanville, one of the 12 brokerages participating in this campaign.  “As small business owners it was important to us to invest in positive futures for children in our own community.  We challenge other business owners and residents in Durham to do the same.”

Each brokerage has contributed $25,000 and on top of this Intact Insurance joined their broker partners providing an additional $100,000 in funding, bringing the total amount donated to $400,000.

“When we heard what our broker partners were up to, we had to be involved, especially when it’s going on in our own back yard” said Danny DaCosta, Regional Vice President, Intact Insurance, Durham Region. “The Intact Foundation funds initiatives in the heart of communities across Canada, and Grandview Kids achieves our mission to make our community healthier and happier.”

Due to the population growth in Durham Region, demand for service from Grandview is expected to exceed 10,000 children and youth with special needs by the year 2031. Grandview is optimistic that approval on the request for capital development to build new headquarters it submitted to the Government of Ontario in 2008 will happen soon

“We are heartened to see how the insurance community is embracing Grandview Kids and we are overwhelmed by such a significant gift,” said Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, Chief Executive Officer of Grandview Children’s Centre.  “This generous donation puts us over $7.5 million raised of our $10 million goal.”

This money donated by the insurance community in Durham Region is the largest contribution ever received by the Foundation at a cheque presentation.

“We have a critical need for a new Grandview and are optimistic that the Premier will take note of the local business community’s support along with thousands of other voices in Durham and approve the new Grandview Children’s Centre soon,” added Sunstrum-Mann.

Cheque presentation details:

November 25, 2016

7:30 p.m.

General Motors Centre

Oshawa, ON

Cheque presentation will take place during the ceremonial puck drop at Oshawa Generals game vs. Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League

 

For more information about Grandview Children’s Centre, or to make a donation toward its capital campaign, visit grandviewkids.ca.

 

Interview opportunities are available for all members of the media.  However, we encourage you to reach out to a broker in your distribution area.  Names and contact Information can be found below.

Ajax

Bryson Insurance
Tracy Makris
(905) 426-8787

Intact Insurance
Danny DaCosta
(905) 686-0200

Russ Bastow Insurance Broker Ltd.
John Bastow
(905) 231-2017

Clarington

James Insurance Brokers Limited
Eleanor Demant
(905) 623-4406

Oshawa

McCam Insurance Brokers
Rorie MacIntosh
(905) 579-0111

McDougal Insurance & Financial
Christian Hutchison
(905) 723-1169

W.B. White Insurance Ltd.
Jason Famme
(905) 576-6400

Pickering

BST Insurance Broker Ltd.
Greg Nichols
(905) 427-4338

First Durham Insurance & Financial
Bryan Yetman
(905) 427-5888

Uxbridge

Ron Noble Insurance Ltd.
Dale Hickey
(905) 852-3309

Whitby

DIS Financial Group
Kris Barber
(905) 666-2090

Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Adam Mitchell
(905) 579-9701

Meadwell Mowatt & Fennell Insurance & Financial Ltd
Kristen Meadwell
(905) 668-3579

 

About Grandview Children’s Centre:

The paediatric experts at Grandview Children’s Centre provide outpatient treatment, rehabilitation services and more to over 5,600 children and youth with special needs and their families in Durham Region every year, but over 2,600 more kids are waiting to receive service from Grandview – and that number is expected to increase 31% by the year 2031. Grandview’s headquarters in Oshawa was built in 1983 to serve 400 kids. Support from the community is needed to ensure earliest possible access to assessment and treatment for kids with special needs, and to help Grandview Children’s Centre build a new facility to meet the needs of children with special needs and their families in Durham Region now, and in the future. For updates, follow @GrandviewKids on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Media Contact:

Stefanie Swinson
Communications and Marketing Manager
Grandview Children’s Centre and Foundation
(905) 728-1673 x 2240
(905) 441-1783
stefanie.swinson@grandviewkids.ca