Charitable Foundation - Commitment to Community

At GMP, we believe that community involvement is one of our significant responsibilities. Supporting the growth and development of other people through the sharing of our resources helps to build better communities for all. We contribute to a wide range of well-established organizations, on a national and local level, but we also feel it is important to identify smaller, emerging groups where providing much needed start-up capital can make a substantial difference to a lower-profile cause or community. It's another way of showing our belief in the strength of human capital.

These are just some of the organizations we have been proud to support this past year.

Best Buddies

Best Buddies is a national charity that is dedicated to fostering friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and university, college and high school students. Friendship is one of the most important elements of life. For people with intellectual disabilities, strong friendships can positively enhance the quality of their lives and can help to ease isolation and loneliness. The Best Buddies program gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences that most people take for granted: going for coffee, seeing a movie or simply enjoying the company of a good friend. Friendships help to break down the barriers to inclusion and provide opportunities for shared positive experiences, laughter and support. There are 125 Best Buddies chapters in Canada, involving 3,500 participants and 18,000 alumni. Website: www.bestbuddies.org

Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada)

Founded in 1998, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada) focuses on promoting and realizing Nelson Mandela's global vision of social justice for children and youth. These efforts are accomplished through two main initiatives. The first provides financial support, through the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund in South Africa, for projects that give disadvantaged South African children help in overcoming the lasting effects of the previous Apartheid government, which include disability, HIV/AIDS, homelessness and poverty. The second initiative shares with Canadians Mr. Mandela's story, South Africa's culture and history and the challenges facing South African children today. Website: www.mandela-children.ca

Inn from the Cold Society

Inn from the Cold is the only place where Calgary's homeless families can go and stay together. At the Inn, people find a place of respect, acceptance and compassion. What makes the Inn unique is that it is not one building but rather a network of more than 70 churches, synagogues and organizations supported by nearly 4,000 volunteers who provide emergency shelter for guests every night of the year. Inn from the Cold is about community helping community. In addition to the temporary emergency shelter, Inn from the Cold partners with other social agencies to offer families the services and programs they need to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of homelessness. Inn from the Cold also relies on the financial support of organizations and individuals to help them meet the growing needs of Calgary's homeless families. Inn from the Cold is a sound investment in the Calgary community. Website: www.innfromthecold.org

Bloorview Kids Rehab

Bloorview Kids Rehab (formerly the Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre) is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital, known the world over for medical care, research and education that give children with disabilities the tools to get where they want to go. Each year, more than 6,500 children and their families from Ontario and beyond use the hospital, outpatient and community services. More than 300 children receive intensive, inpatient rehabilitation - for an average of seven weeks and up to a year - following traumatic accidents, illnesses and surgeries. Annual outpatient visits total about 46,000. Bloorview recently completed a unique $101-million home in Toronto that brings together state-of-the-art accessibility with a design that draws on the restorative elements of the surrounding ravine. This new facility will house the world's most comprehensive array of services for children with disabilities and their families. Services range from hospital inpatient care to therapy clinics to a Life Skills Institute and an all-grades school. Website: www.bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca