Woo-hoo! Jill Douglas global award winner!

The following news release from RBC Royal Bank recognizes Jill Douglas and her dedicated fund-raising support of ARCH (Algoma Residential Community Hospice). This spring Jill and other RBC employees have raised over $5,000 for ARCH in name of RBC retiree Teresa Fabbricino, who passed away on March 2. RBC employees raised the money by purchasing handcrafted jewellery, with proceeds going to ARCH in Teresa's memory. Jill says the $1,000 donation described below will be added to the total already raised.

************************* Local volunteer receives global award

Jill Douglas recognized for dedication to Sault Ste. Marie community

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (May 10, 2011) - RBC is pleased to announce Jill Douglas as the recipient of a 2011 RBC Community Spirit Award for her work with Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH).

The RBC Community Spirit Award recognizes and celebrates RBC employees for their outstanding leadership and commitment to making a positive difference in their communities through volunteerism.

The award is being presented to Douglas, an associate with RBC Wealth Management in Sault Ste. Marie, for her fund-raising efforts in support of the hospice.

Douglas supplies ARCH with handcrafted jewellery, with sale proceeds directed to the organization.

The jewellry includes bracelets created in memory of a former RBC employee who passed away at ARCH in February 2011.

ARCH is a non-profit charitable organization, receiving less than half their annual operating expenses from government.

“It is necessary for us to raise in excess of $600,000 a year in donations and fund-raising,” says Gail Gray, ARCH volunteer coordinator. “Jill’s efforts have certainly helped bring us fund-raising dollars for which we are forever grateful.”

Sixty awards are presented globally to RBC employees during National Volunteer Week in April.

RBC donates $1,000 to each winner’s charity of choice.

“RBC is proud to recognize and support employees like Jill,” says Rob Johnston, RBC regional president. “As community members, they dedicate countless hours to causes they believe in. We celebrate and thank our employees for all they do to build strong, healthy communities.”

RBC supports the volunteer efforts of employees through programs and initiatives to foster a culture of giving.

In addition to the RBC Community Spirit Award, employees and retirees who volunteer 40 hours or more for a charitable organization are eligible to receive $500 for the organization through the RBC Volunteer Grants Program.

In 2010, 41 RBC employees in Northwestern Ontario took advantage of the program, generating $20,500 for community organizations.

Volunteer groups of 10 people with at least five or more RBC employees who volunteer outside of work hours during the month of April, qualify to receive a $1,000 grant to their charity through the RBC Day of Service Grant.

For more information about contributions RBC employees make in their communities, please visit here.

************************* ////