This past weekend our team (wm+a, AlphaBee & SEET volunteers) hosted our third Back-to-School Backpack event.  Throughout the year, SEET volunteers host fundraisers to support two larger initiatives:  Back-to-School Backpack & the Breakfast with Santa.

This year, the funds raised allowed us to purchase over 230 backpacks and school supplies!! These events would not be possible without our SEET volunteers, wm+a & AlphaBee teams and our associate network!

Thank you to the associates who gave up their “cup of coffee” and made a monetary donation to this wonderful initiative.

Thank you to our community organizations and the Daily Bread Food Bank for sharing our event and hosting us at the Etobicoke location!  110+ families signed up, and many who didn’t but welcomed the support and 230+ backpacks handed out!!

A huge THANK YOU for the volunteers that year after year support these initiatives through SEET (Special Engagement & Event Team).  All the items provided to the families are purchased with raised funds by our volunteers during their time off!!  A special THANK YOU –  Simon, Tam, Maureen, Kelly, Cathy, Joel, Zanubia, Tharuni, Ligene, and the many more who are able to support when they can.

It was joyful to watch children selecting their favourite-colored backpack and new school supplies.  We are truly touched by all the appreciation and comments we heard that day.  And there were many great conversations, from providing guidance on connecting to the OAP, to meeting a family well familiar with both wm+a and AlphaBee who knew many of our associates by name.

wm+a and AlphaBee matches all funds raised and provides a workplace and a culture of caring and giving back; we truly enjoy every opportunity to connect with our community and these events are a part of that commitment.