Brandt Celebrates the Holidays with $500,000 in Community Donations
January 2, 2024
Brandt employees directed funds to support 14 organizations across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand during an annual holiday event.
The holidays just got a lot more festive for 14 charities, thanks to $500,000 in donations from the Brandt Group of Companies’ Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund.
“We are very grateful to our customers, employees, and the communities where they live and work,” says Brandt Senior Vice President of Marketing, Matt Semple.
“Our Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund is our way of saying 'thank you’. And there’s no time like the holiday season to do that.”
The charitable donations were part of Brandt Family Christmas, an annual online holiday celebration for Brandt employees around the world. As part of the festivities, employees voted for their favourite charities, and $500,000 was distributed to organizations across Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand based on percentage of votes cast.
“We are so grateful to be included as one of the charities of choice for this year’s Brandt Family Christmas,” says Phyillis O’Connor, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division). “Brandt’s donation will ensure quality programming to support those living with mental illness and those who wish to maintain their mental wellness.”
Brandt has grown over the past few years, and so has its commitment to local communities. Since 2020, the Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund has donated more than $1.6 million to charities in the communities where Brandt’s employees and customers live and work. This year’s recipients, by country, are:
Canada ($275,000 CAD)
- Canadian Cancer Society - $97,500
- Canadian Mental Health Association - $78,000
- Ronald McDonald House Charities - $55,500
- Make a Wish Canada - $26,000
- Salvation Army of Canada - $18,000
“CMHA depends on the support of individual and corporate/community donations. We are so grateful to be included as one of the charities of choice for this year’s Brandt Family Christmas. Awareness of the need for mental health support has never been stronger, but this is happening at a time when human and financial resources have seen a downturn following the pandemic. Your support will ensure quality programming to support those living with mental illness and those who wish to maintain their mental wellness.” — Phyillis O’Connor, Executive Director (Saskatchewan Division)
US ($75,000 USD)
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - $43,000
- Wounded Warrior Project - $18,000
- Illinois CancerCare Foundation - $14,000
“Wounded Warrior Project is honored to be included, once again, in Brandt Family Christmas. This year, with the support of Brandt and its passionate employee base, WWP has provided life-changing programs and services to wounded warriors and their families, all at no cost to them.”— Wally Edward, Director of Corporate Partnerships
Australia ($75,000 AUD)
- Rural Aid - $44,000
- Ronald McDonald House Charities - $25,000
- The Smith Family - $6,000
“With the support of wonderful people and organisations like Brandt, we keep are able to keep our doors open and can continue to look after families with sick children going through their most challenging of times,” said Liza Gifford, Fundraising Coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania.
New Zealand ($75,000 NZD)
- Cancer Society New Zealand - $41,500
- New Zealand Rural Support Charitable Trust - $23,500
- Heart Foundation New Zealand - $10,000
“The Rural Support Trust relies on donations to ensure we can support rural communities all over Aotearoa during tough times,” said Maria Shanks, General Manager, Rural Support Trust. “This makes a real difference in the service and support we can provide to our farmers and growers, and it is immensely appreciated after a difficult year for many.”
“It’s exciting to see our employees get involved in how the Holiday Fund is distributed,” concludes Semple.
“The charities they’ve chosen to support this year are having a huge positive impact on the lives of people, locally and internationally.”
The Thanks A Billion Holiday Fund is a part of Brandt’s Thanks A Billion program, which celebrated its 12th anniversary in 2023. Since its inception, the program has invested more than $25 million in local communities.