Each year during the holidays, The TPG team bands together to support various causes that are close to our hearts and in our communities. As part of the Purpose Beyond Profit initiative, each employee is given money to donate to a cause of their choosing. During the last two years, many organizations have lost funding dollars and volunteer support in a time they — and the vulnerable populations they support — need it most.
In the three years since this initiative started, hundreds of organizations and individuals have received both monetary donations and volunteered time. Many of our employees also matched the donation and got their friends and family involved too! Below are some of the causes that were supported this year. Please consider donating to one of the below organizations, or one close to your heart pay it forward and keep this initiative going!
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping change Canadian children and youth’s perspectives and giving them the opportunity to reach their potential.
Poverty Solutions Group (PSG) is a Central Florida collaborative organization committed to sustainable poverty reduction. Based on emerging best practices, PSG empowers individuals and households to achieve economic stability and engages the broader community to address systemic barriers that perpetuate community-wide poverty.
PSG seeks a different strategy—poverty reduction. This is done by not only focusing on individual change but also working on community and systemic change. We believe that this three-pronged approach is a way to reduce poverty in a significant way—in a way that our country has not been able to do for more than a generation.
“What a great idea and I appreciate the way that you are engaging the team in thinking about ways to give back a portion of what has been shared with all of us! [My wife] and I have been supporting the Poverty Solutions Group, not only financially but with our time and energy as well. We have been doing this for a number of years and I would like to share this gift with them as well… so thank you.” – TPG Employee
The Cancer Research Society is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer to help prevent, detect, and treat this disease. The Cancer Research Society works with conviction, discipline and determination to help Canadian researchers find ways to cure cancer.
Save the Children’s work saves and improves children’s lives around the world. We work to ensure children have healthcare, food and shelter, as well as learning and child protection services when children need it most. We are committed to helping all children achieve their full potential by ensuring they grow up healthy, receive a good education, and stay safe.
“Thank you for your leadership and all the great work you do. I have been with TPG since 2019 and this is the 3rd year, I have donated to different charities thanks to you” – TPG Employee
Youth Without Shelter – commonly known as ‘YWS’ – is a charity offering shelter and support for youth facing homelessness in the GTA. Founded in 1986 when a group of teachers came together to create a safe place for youth after seeing the need within their classrooms. Since then, they have been providing client-focused services in a non-judgmental environment for youth aged 16 – 24. They are a house where a youth’s culture and needs are understood, and where each youth can receive shelter, one-on-one guidance, mental health and wellness supports, and training, through multifaceted programming.
“After our work with them with Purpose Beyond Profit, I realize the importance of helping these homeless kids from their most vulnerable state to getting to self-sufficient was the best way I could help out, so I multiplied the money to help a little more!” – TPG Employee
Seva Food Bank is an initiative of Sikhs Serving Canada that addresses the challenges of food security and underlying poverty to spur economic renewal in Mississauga, Ontario. They ensure equitable access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to people experiencing or at risk of poverty in the communities they serve.
Since the pandemic, food donations have gone down but the number of people utilizing them has gone up. This will definitely support the food bank in purchasing the appropriate items needed to help families get by this holiday season.
FYI- Seva is a Sanskrit word that translates to “selfless service.”
“As you may already know, Seva holds a special place in my heart and I greatly support their effort in helping local families. I love that we do this each year. Thank you again for making TPG a great place by practicing the amazing values of serving.” – TPG Employee
Street Help serves the homeless by providing 3 hot meals a day, offering clothes, providing shelter, engaging in conversations, and creating an inclusive and safe space for them to get their lives in order. Street Help is a leader, providing improvements to the lives of the community members most in need, making the community a model of giving, understanding, and inclusiveness.
“As a student then, it would touch my heart anytime I would go in to lend a helping hand because I saw how much gratitude was exhibited by the homeless community when we take the time to help them. Although I am not physically there anymore to help, I still keep the community in mind” – TPG Employee
The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign is one of Canada’s largest and most recognizable annual charitable events. In addition to the critical fundraising impact of the Campaign, the Christmas kettles boost the Army’s visibility and awareness. In fact, there are more than 2,000 kettle locations across Canada that support a wide range of Salvation Army programs.
“We know the husband and wife pastor team that have committed their lives to the Salvation Army and are always helping those less fortunate in the GTA. They mentioned the Christmas Kettles donations have declined greatly during Covid so I wanted to help out knowing that the money will get directly to where it is needed most.” – TPG Employee
“Last summer I was helping a neighbour find a new home for her beautiful big 17-year-old horse because he was not rideable and she no longer had space for him. After months of posting him for sale on various sites as a ‘companion horse’, no one was interested. Then followed months of calling and begging every horse sanctuary around the province, all of which were full and had waiting lists.
“Time was running out for this beautiful creature, and I was feeling desperate for him. The one refuge that stood out among all of the others was https://www.dogtales.ca situated on a wonderful 50-acre sanctuary in King City, that housed old, abused and neglected horses. The majority of these horses were rescued directly from auction, where they would otherwise have shipped overseas and been slaughtered for meat.
Dog Tales is the forever home to 70 horses where they receive world-class medical care and lots of love. This sanctuary also takes in abused and neglected dogs who they care for and eventually adopt out following a very strict adoption process.
You can elect to make a singular donation, you can volunteer your time at this beautiful place, or sponsor a horse on a monthly basis as I chose to do. There are so many ways to help make a difference for these horses who have no other way to survive.
As for my favourite horse, we, fortunately, found him a permanent home with a friend of a friend who had 4 other horses. For her, it was love at first sight and they are now inseparable. Imagine this beautiful animal destined for slaughter. “
THS strives to be a leader in animal welfare and innovation by providing access to care and loving homes for all animals. In doing so, they provide public veterinary services, sheltering and rescue programs, public support services and education and advocacy research.
Donations not only help the animals of today, but support plans for how to stay on top of helping the animals of tomorrow, next year, and the year after.
Did you know that 1.3 billion tonnes of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year? Second Harvest recovers fresh, unsold food to protect the environment and provide immediate hunger relief. Second Harvest provides 400 meals for $100 and works towards reducing food waste and turning it into valuable support. Something important for all of us Lean Six Sigma folks!
Founded in 1983, Daily Bread Food Bank has grown to become one of Canada’s largest food banks. From its 108,000 sq.ft. distribution hub, Daily Bread supplies food to nearly 200 food programs across Toronto with a fleet of five trucks. Recently, Daily Bread has also been stepping up its efforts to tackle the issues of lost food and greenhouse gas emissions, starting at the farm level.
Since launching its Farm to Food Bank program, Daily Bread has rescued hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh, “perfectly imperfect” produce from area farms and distribute them to food banks across the city.
“I believe food banks across the city are experiencing a surge in new clients and with a lot of uncertainty with employment, covid, vaccines and education, people are falling back on communities to help them out. So wanted to give back locally with the Scarborough Daily Bread Foodbank.
Thanks for organizing and running this initiative! Makes me feel proud to be part of such an amazing organization” – TPG Employee
Yee Hong is a not-for-profit senior care organization that serves over 15,000 individuals across the GTA annually. With the contribution from TPG, it will help towards supporting long-term care and senior housing as well as many community-based social and medical services for seniors.
“Caring for senior citizens has always had a special place in my heart, it is sometimes easy to forget that it is because of their contribution to the community that paved the way for what we have today. For this reason, I decided to pay it forward by supporting senior care this holiday season. Thank you TPG!” – TPG Employee
Our donation and the Holiday Goodwill Gift will directly support over 1,000 children, youth and families in need in the Durham Region, during the holiday season and throughout the year. Holiday gift hampers will be distributed providing clothing, personal essentials, gift cards and special gifts of hope. St. Nicholas or “SinterKlaas” (aka Santa Claus) whom our holiday traditions are based on is the patron Saint of orphaned and disadvantaged children. So, in keeping with the holiday spirit, we chose to make a donation to those who embody what the Christmas Spirit/Season is all about.
McMaster Children’s Hospital has been providing care to children from across the region since 1988. Patients ranging in age from infancy to 17 receive care through a family-centred approach that accounts for the child’s emotional, mental and physical well-being.
The hospital is home to the fastest-growing kids-only emergency department in Ontario, one of Canada’s most advanced neonatal intensive care units, and a range of programs and clinics with unique expertise in a number of areas including children’s cancer, digestive diseases, and mental health.
The AFA works with First Nations partners to conserve old-growth trees in Canada and pressure the BC government to commit funding toward Indigenous-led conservation and sustainable economic alternatives to old-growth logging.
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The first time I touched a 1000-year old tree, I thought of all the things the tree must have seen, of the many people that have stood in this same place in awe, as I was. To think that only a few of these trees remain and even fewer are protected by the government breaks my heart.” – TPG Employee
Jumpstart is an organization dedicated to giving kids from families in financial need the opportunity to enrich their lives through sport and physical activity. Jumpstart is more than just about getting kids active. It’s about giving kids from families in financial need the same chance to participate as their neighbours, their classmates and their friends. Whether it’s the chance to try a new sport or to continue with a favourite one, no kid should be left out.
“Sports have been a cornerstone of my life – teaching me valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, mental toughness, and accountability. Sports are also a great way to relieve stress, escape life troubles and live a healthy lifestyle. It’s critical that all kids, regardless of their situation, have access to the benefits afforded by sports and physical activity. Hopefully, this inspires others to pay it forward as well!” – TPG Employee
JJF is dedicated to K-12 public schools to support programs in science and technology; the arts; health and wellness; and language and literacy across the United States. All students should have equal access to the materials, resources, and opportunities needed to ensure success in school. We look to our teachers and schools to communicate the greatest needs of their students and have funded grants supporting various programs.
Wikipedia is a free and open encyclopedia, hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. The heart and soul of Wikipedia is a global community of over 200,000+ volunteer contributors, billions of readers, and donors – all united to share unlimited access to reliable information. Your donations keep knowledge projects like Wikipedia freely available to everyone.
This train stretches 28,000km from coast to coast to coast, it’s the longest network of recreational trails in the world! The Trans Canada Trail offers a wide range of activities through a variety of landscapes – urban, rural and wilderness; along greenways, waterways and roadways, embodying the vastness of our terrain and the diversity of our people.
“During the pandemic, with so many things shut and inaccessible, I found that getting outdoors was even more important than ever for both physical and mental health!” – TPG Employee
“Invisible People” is a non-profit organization working to end homelessness. Mark Horvath, the founder of this organization has interviewed more than 100 homeless people across the U.S. and Canada. It’s disturbing to see how easily (and quickly) some of these people lost their homes/jobs but were failed by the system which makes it almost impossible for homeless people to get back into society. The organization’s main focus is to educate the public about homelessness and its underlying causes (e.g. mental health problems, unaffordable housing, drug addiction and sometimes a lost birth certificate or wildfire) and advocating for policy changes.
Red Door Family Shelter has provided emergency shelter and support for women and children affected by domestic abuse, families experiencing a housing crisis, and refugee claimants with nowhere else to turn. This money supports women and babies who are in desperate need of diapers, formula, clothing and other supplies during the holidays, but also throughout the year
The Mississauga Food Bank is the central food bank in Mississauga, distributing food through a network of over 50 agencies including local food banks, pantries, meal and snack programs, and other emergency food programs. Through a network, they provide food for 5 million healthy meals every year with a mission is to end hunger in Mississauga by providing and promoting access to healthy and appropriate food for people in need.
“This year we decided to match the holiday goodwill contribution and donated to the Mississauga Food Bank by providing them with baby supplies to support families in need.” – TPG Employee
WCK believes that food is a universal human right and demonstrates this by responding to natural disasters, man-made crises, and humanitarian emergencies around the world.
From Canada to Colorado to Haiti (https://wck.org/en-us/relief) and everywhere in between, WCK is there to show that a nourishing meal in a time of crisis is so much more than a plate of food—it’s hope, it’s dignity, and it’s a sign that someone cares.
Through operational excellence to agility to sustainability – WCK embodies the values of TPG to the fullest and therefore was my donation of choice in 2021.
“I continue to be proud of TPG’s commitment to doing this, our PBP initiatives and all of the other ways we give back.
Over the past 2 months, my Mom has actually gotten a group of 5 other individuals together and has begun a small operation where they write letters to elderly individuals in care facilities across Ohio. What started with just her and one facility has grown significantly across multiple facilities. Given the impact of Covid-19, many of our elderly haven’t been able to visit with loved ones so these letters aim to uplift these individuals and create relationships for ongoing communication.
This year I matched this donation and gave to this cause as they have continued need for letters and stamps/post so this gives them the ability to reach an additional ~150 people.”
“An important issue near and dear to me is access to education (especially girls) for those living in poverty in 3rd world countries. Therefore, I’ve sent the money to my hometown, Damascus, Syria where many families cannot afford to cover the tuition cost of university at the moment. The $100 dollars, converts into 195,000 Syrian Pounds which covers a significant amount of tuition fees!
My mom also contributed $100 and we’ve contributed to a family friend’s daughter who is completing her dentistry degree in Damascus! Thank you David for this wonderful opportunity. I’ve pitched the idea to a friend who owns a physio clinic, and he’s decided to implement this idea with his team!” – TPG Employee
A few individuals went to the store to buy a bunch of gloves, hats, and anything warm and fuzzy to distribute to our friends living in shelters / or those displaced from homes in Downtown Toronto. With the cold Canadian winters coming up, it’s important to protect those without access to shelter.
Check out your local respite site to donate any gently used warm clothes or fresh, unopened toiletries!
They collect donations to assist in purchasing food, clothes, & other necessities around the community in Mississauga. The donation will come a long way in making sure those in need in these difficult times have some kind of support.
Many of us know someone or a family who has fallen under hard times in the pandemic, who appreciate the added support to make their holidays special.
“A family in my community has a young daughter whose Christmas we wanted to make a little more special despite the circumstances. A few of us local moms pitched in funds, and along with TPG’s generous contribution, we collected $700 for the family.” – TPG Employee
“There is a family of five at my daughter’s school where the father and sole breadwinner passed away suddenly. There is a go-fund-me account to support this mother and her three kids as they figure out the next steps to deal with this tragedy. I donated the $100 and some of my own money to this very local and very worthy cause.” – TPG Employee
Please consider supporting your local families and organizations to pay it forward throughout the year and keep this initiative going!
Learn more about The Poirier Group’s Purpose beyond Profit initiatives
