Oakville Beaver
Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS) executives swapped their suits and smartphones for work boots and tools so that individuals with developmental disabilities in Oakville can have a better life.
On Sept. 26, more than 100 members of the leadership team put in a combined 600 hours of work and made use of more than $70,000 worth of donated supplies and materials in renovating the Central West Specialized Development Services (CWSDS) facility at 53 Bond St.
The facility’s mandate is to develop services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Ontario’s Central West region, including occupational therapy, psychiatric services, psychological services and social work. CWSDS works closely with, and is funded by, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
“The hard work and generosity of CTFS and all the volunteers working here today is overwhelming and deeply appreciated,” CWSDS executive director James Duncan said. “This provides for a wonderful and positive environment for the people that we support.”
All their hard work yielded results: a gazebo and shed were built, a new pathway was laid and landscaping was done on the outside. Paint was applied and cabinets were refinished inside the building.
Blair Campbell is one of the executives who crunched gravel instead of numbers as a volunteer.
The CTFS associate vice-president of marketing operations and analytics, spent the day going up and down a ladder and moving wheelbarrows full of stone and dirt. At day’s end, he was tired and sore, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It is incredibly impactful to meet the residents of the facility and to hear and see the challenges these people face,” he said. “Any small way that we can improve their lives feels great.”
CTFS has given back to the community with this initiative for the past 13 years and Campbell has participated since day one.
“These events really highlight how very fortunate we are and remind us of our responsibility to give back to the community and to those less fortunate,” he added. “It truly is a blessing to have the opportunity to do this work every year.”
Teresa Cugliari, communications adviser, corporate communications for Canadian Tire Corp., said a team from CTFS meets with the non-profit chosen to receive the upgrades to discuss their needs and whether the requests are feasible.
“Activities vary year by year. They’re based on the needs of the non-profit,” she said.
Dave Duffus, manager of disaster recovery transition services at Canadian Tire, like Campbell, has been there since the beginning.
“It’s important to support charities, and this is a unique way to do it. You’re making a very visible difference to a group that has been careful selected for how it impacts the whole community,” he said. Duffus was part of the landscaping crew, constructing raised gardens at six locations on the grounds.
“The work we did had to be practical for our skill level,” Duffus said.
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