It’s 9 a.m. on a chilly October morning in Alberta’s capital city. Two yellow school buses jammed with 55 ATB Financial volunteers arrive at Operation Friendship, an organization dedicated to helping Edmonton’s inner-city seniors.
The volunteers emerge from the buses with armloads of donated food and clothing. But they’re not here just to drop off donations, shake hands and say goodbye. All 55 ATB associates are here to help. Whether it’s putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, fixing a fence, building picnic tables, serving food or just playing cards with appreciative seniors, these volunteers are making a difference.
It’s ATB’s contribution to the United Way Financial Day of Caring, when financial institutions across Edmonton recruit volunteers to help in the community.
Operation Friendship offers programs, services and affordable housing to inner-city clients aged 55 and over. The McAuley Drop-In Centre, run by Operation Friendship, serves three meals a day to those in need. “Last year we served over 90,000 meals,” said Zahida Hudani, Community Relations Supervisor for Operation Friendship. “Within the Drop-In there’s a safe environment for our very vulnerable clients who come through. Some of them have mental illness or addictions, some can’t read or write, most have no family, no social ties, so this is a place for them to meet, play pool, watch TV or grab a bite to eat.”
Hudani says Operation Friendship would not exist without the efforts of volunteers like the ones from ATB Financial. “They’ve been amazing,” she offered. “They’re very hard working and dedicated. A lot of the seniors love the interaction and really appreciate the work they’re doing because this is their home.”
ATB associates also appreciate the opportunity to help an organization that provides so much to its clients. “In our offices we’re very much in a bubble and getting out to the community and seeing how lucky most of us are, it gives you a different perspective and makes you appreciate what you have,” said Suzanne Bykewich, an IT resource advisor at ATB and the Day of Caring’s volunteer coordinator. “It’s not much to spend a day out helping people. It makes an impact that lasts longer than just today.”
The Financial Day of Caring represents just a fraction of ATB Financial’s commitment to the United Way. During our 2009 campaign, ATB associates from all over the province volunteered their time, participated in fundraising events and donated out of their pockets. In total, ATB raised over $720,000 for community programs across Alberta, surpassing our goal by more than $70,000.
