The RBC Royal Bank is looking for community projects to support through their RBC Day of Service program.
Between April 1 and June 30, RBC encourages employees to give back to charities that they are passionate about. Michael Dunne, the community market manager for Estevan, said employees are invited to bring together at least six volunteers, and there must be a minimum of three RBC employees in the group.
They must spend at least three hours on a project outside of work hours.
“RBC provides a grant to the benefitting charitable organization in celebration of our employee’s volunteer efforts,” Dunne said.
That grant is worth $1,000.
Not only does the program build teamwork among employees, Dunne said it is an opportunity for RBC and its staff members to give back in meaningful ways to communities around the world, and an opportunity for RBC to support causes important to its employees.
“This program enables employees to contribute the gift of time and skills to registered charities,” he said. “With many charitable organizations, while the Day of Service grants are valued, it is the donating of time that can be most meaningful.”
This year, RBC is striving to give back 630 volunteer hours through 35 Day of Service projects in the Estevan area. Charities and non-profit organizations must be federally registered to qualify for the program.
Eight projects have already been completed, resulting in over 144 volunteer hours being given back to the community.
Past projects have included the Estevan Public Library, the Estevan Family Resource Centre, the United Way Estevan, the local Habitat for Humanity committee, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Estevan Wildlife Federation, local daycares and more.
“Organizations are chosen by employees based on what they are passionate about,” said Dunne.
Since these projects happen on the personal time of employees in a three-month window, they might not be able to support every organization they wish to back.
Projects can include painting fences, answering phones at a telethon, walking dogs and folding pamphlets.
Last year RBC proudly completed 23 projects in Estevan, translating into 414 volunteer hours. The $23,000 earned in donations from the RBC Foundation to the organizations was an added benefit, Dunne said.
