ROOTS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Helping is an essential part of who we are

Integrity and responsibility are key to Roots. They are among the core values that have guided Roots since its inception in 1973. As such, Roots has always believed in contributing to the communities where we live and work.

We know we alone can’t change the world but we do believe we can – and should – make a difference in trying to make it a better place. Each business, according to its means, has a responsibility to do its part to support positive, meaningful initiatives aimed at helping people in need.

To that end, we have long been involved in offering assistance – through financial contribution, sponsorship, or donating products, depending on the context – in support of selected organizations, individuals and projects.

There is no shortage of worthy organizations to help. In an average month, Roots receives 75 - 100 queries asking for assistance. Most are legitimate, compelling requests. We wish we could say yes to all of them. Unfortunately we do not have unlimited resources. As a result, we have to be selective. Generally, we give priority to helping disadvantaged children and environmental work. (Download our Guidelines for Applying for Assistance).

In recent years, Roots has supported scores of groups and individuals as part of our commitment to giving back to the community. It’s an intrinsic part of who we are and what we believe in. Here is a list of some of the recipients (along with their respective website addresses).

LIST OF CHARITIES, DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS 
(March 2006)

Recipients listed alphabetically in each category

Children

Adam's Dream Fund
Support for two special programs at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children: Paediatric Oncology (Cancer) Research and the Therapeutic Clown Program. (Toronto)
( www.adamsdreamfund.org )  

Arts For Children of Toronto
Donated clothing to underprivledged youth participating in art-focused workshops and outreach programs. (Toronto)
( www.artsforchildren.org ) 

Air Canada Dreams Take Flight,
Silent Auction to raise funds for children with special needs. (Calgary)
( www.dreamstakeflight.org )  

Camp Oochigeas
A supportive, caring environment for children with cancer. (Toronto)
( www.ooch.org )

Children’s International Summer Village (CISV)
Canadian Delegates - Brings together young people from all over the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendships in the hope of achieving peaceful solutions to worldwide problems. (Victoria)
( www.cisvusa.org )

College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ontario
Fundraiser for Etobicoke Auxiliary to the Children's Aid Society (CAS), (Toronto)
( www.cpso.on.ca )

Friends of Israel Scouts - Tzofim
Donated sweatshirts to the local chapter of the Israeli Scouts - Shevet Hermon for the annual North American gathering camp comprised of recreational and educational activities for youth. (Toronto)
( www.zofim.org.il )

The George Hull Centre for Children and Families
Contributed to the “Spread the Word” fundraiser for the Hope Travels Youth Initiative (part of the George Hull Centre), which helps highlight and develop strengths and confidence in girls under the age of 18 who are struggling with social and emotional challenges. (Toronto)
(www.gerogehullcentre.on.ca)

Hincks-Dellcrest Foundation
Providing for the mental health needs of infants, children, youth and their families so that they can function effectively in society. (Toronto)
( www.hincksdellcrest.org/foundation )

Inner City Angels
Art education organization providing quality and affordable art opportunities for disadvantaged children, youth and families. (Toronto)
( www.innercityangels.ca )

Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation
Helping better the lives of abused children with Children's Aid Society. (Peterborough) 
( www.k-hchildrensfoundation.com )

Kids Help Phone
8th Annual “Kids Help Phone” Pro-Am Golf Classic – Fundraiser for counseling service for children in distress. (Toronto)
( www.kidshelp.sympatico.ca/en ) 

Make A Wish Foundation of Canada
Devoted to fulfilling the special wishes of children who have a life-threatening illness. (Toronto)
( www.makeawish.ca )

Playoff Hockey Challenge "Auction for Wishes"
Donated Roots apparel for an online auction to raise funds for The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada (Ontario Chapter), an organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children coping with high risk, life-threatening illnesses. (Toronto)
( www.childrenswish.ca )

Right to Play
An organization using sports to promote the healthy physical, social and emotional development of the world’s most disadvantaged children. (Toronto)
( www.righttoplay.com )

Schools Without Borders
Fundraiser for organization fostering responsibility and leadership in today’s youth. (Toronto)
( www.schoolswithoutborders.com )

Scouts Canada
Contributing to the education of young people to help build a better world. (Ottawa)
( www.scouts.ca )

Sick Kids Foundation - Banana Bash
Donated Roots products for a silent auction held at The Banana Bash, a volunteer-driven, non-profit initiative dedicated to funding research into childhood cancer at The Hospital for Sick Children. (Toronto)
( www.bananabash.ca )

Signature Vacations
Children’s Charity Flight (Toronto)
( www.signaturevacations.com )

S'Port for Kids Foundation
Promotes the purity of youth via the beneficial effects of organized sport. (Richmond Hill)
( www.sportforkids.ca )

Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation
Organization brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families. (Los Angeles)
( www.slsb.org )

The “Dean’s List” Tour
Outfitted the pop/R&B group Caramel City for the “Dean’s List” Music Tour, which empowers youth (Grades 5 through 12) to turn away from violence and towards education, music and the arts. (Toronto)
(www.caramelcity.ca)

The Hospital for Sick Children
Gala 2005, “An Enchanted Evening.” (Toronto)
( www.sickkids.ca )

Umbrella
Central Day Care Services (Toronto)
( www.umbrelladaycare.com )

World Vision
Donation of clothes to children in Eastern Europe and Africa who live in dire poverty. (Romania, Armenia, Zambia)
( www.worldvision.org )

Schools

Branksome Hall
Annual Golf Day (Toronto)
( www.branksome.on.ca )

Camille’s Public Elementary School
Silent auction for school fundraiser.  (London, Ontario)

Crescent High School
Varsity Hockey Team (Toronto)

Kempenfelt Bay School (Barrie, Ontario)
( www.kempenfeltbayschool.ca )

Lake Wilcox Public School
Donation of clothing to underprivileged youth. (York Region)

Mulgrave School
Donation to their annual fundraising gala evening, to enrich the students' experience in academics, citizenship, athletics and arts. (West Vancouver, BC)
( www.mulgrave.com )

New York University Tisch School of the Arts
An extraordinary training ground for the individual artist and scholar of the arts. (New York, NY)
( www.tisch.nyu.edu )

St. John Fisher School
A K-8 Catholic elementary school founded in 1959. (Portland, Oregon)
( http://www.sjfschool.org/ )

Sterling Hall School
Assisted in school auction. (Toronto)
( www.sterlinghall.com )

Toronto Heschel School / Gesher Abraham Foundation
Arts-based, Jewish day school committed to environmental awareness, pluralism and civic responsibility.  (Toronto)
( www.allaboutgiving.org/america/search/charitydetails.cfm?ID=505 )

Upper Canada College (UCC)
Assisted in school auction and supported the Horizons Phase I Endowment at Upper Canada College, one of the leading private boys’ schools in the world, committed to educating boys to “do good and to do well.” (Toronto)
( www.ucc.on.ca )

Crisis Relief

Canadian Red Cross
For hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica, Haiti and Grenada. (Toronto)
( www.redcross.ca )

Canadian Red Cross
Tsunami humanitarian relief (Toronto)
( www.redcross.ca )

Ve'ahavta
Support for organization dedicated to "tikun olam - repairing the world" through partnerships with the Canadian Jewish community and with non-Jewish and international organizations on humanitarian initiatives. (Toronto)
(www.veahavta.org )

Environmental

Center for Environmental Education – Antioch New England Graduate School
A community outreach arm promoting a sustainable environment, economy, and society by encouraging informed civic engagement. (Keene, NH)
( www.anei.org )

The Century Foundation
Donated Roots 'Stop Global Warming' leather bracelets as give-aways to guests attending Drop It Like It's Hot: The Politics of Global Warming, an event organized by The Century Foundation, a nonprofit public policy research institution. (New York)
( www.tcf.org )

David Suzuki Foundation
The Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that help conserve nature. (Vancouver)
(www.davidsuzuki.org )

Tides Canada Foundation
Committed to respecting and protecting our natural and environmental legacy that sustains the quality of rural and urban life. (Vancouver)
( www.tidescanada.org )

Toronto Community Foundation – “Green Toronto Awards”
The City of Toronto’s Annual Environmental Awards of Excellence (Toronto)
( www.tcf.ca )

Waterkeeper Alliance
Connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide.
( www.waterkeeper.org )

Community, Cultural, Education, etc.

American Jewish Historical Society
To foster awareness and appreciation of the US Jewish heritage and to serve as a national scholarly resource for related research. (New York, NY)
( www.ajhs.org/ )

Art Gallery of Ontario - (Toronto)
( www.ago.net )

Bathurst Jewish Community Centre - (Toronto)
( www.bjcc.ca )

Banff Centre
A globally respected arts, cultural, and educational institution. (Banff, Alberta)
( www.banffcentre.ca )

B'nai Brith Canada
The independent voice of the Jewish community, representing its interests nationwide to government, NGOs and the wider Canadian public.
( www.bnaibrith.ca )

Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Juno Awards (Toronto)
( www.juno-awards.ca )

Canadian Council of Christians & Jews (CCCJ)
Building a foundation of trust, understanding and respect between people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.  (Toronto)
( www.cccj.ims.ca )

Canadian Opera Company
Fundraiser for new section of performance hall (Toronto)
( www.coc.ca )

Coastal Jazz & Blues Society
Coastal Jazz and Blues Society has contributed greatly to the local, national and international jazz scene. (Vancouver)
( www.coastaljazz.ca )

Directors Guild of Canada
Contributed in support of Actors Fund. (Toronto)
( www.dgc.ca )

Gala des Etoiles
Formed in 1986 to spotlight dancers from around the world on a new, Canadian stage.
( www.galadesetoiles.com/gala.html )

Hadassah Foundation
Women's organization whose goal is to strengthen the partnership with Israel and ensure Jewish continuity. (New York, NY)
( www.hadassah.com )

Holocaust Memorial Centre
Advancing education about the Holocaust. (Toronto)
( www.jewishtoronto.com/section_display.html?ID=194 )

Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
Stand-up, wild and colourful street theatre, hilarious television shows and sold-out tours. (Montréal)
( www.hahaha.com )

Kids 4 Peace Toronto 2004
Interfaith education for peaceful coexistence of Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. (Toronto)
( www.kids4peace.ca )

Koeffler Centre of the Arts
Bathurst Jewish Community Centre. (Toronto)
( www.torontoartsonline.org )

Mamapalooza Music Festival
Roots leather gift products donated to the Mamapalooza mom-themed musical event on Mother’s Day. (Toronto)
( www.mamapalooza.com )

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Center
Serving the community, cultural, educational and recreational needs of downtown Toronto. (Toronto)
( www.milesnadaljcc.ca )

Orchestra Toronto
Contributed to the fundraising Musicale and Auction held to ensure the future viability of Orchestra Toronto as an integral part of the cultural infrastructure of Toronto.
( www.orchestratoronto.ca )

Public Dreams – “The Fire Weavers”
Promoting community participation in the arts by providing interactive and accessible public art programming. (Vancouver)
( www.publicdreams.org )    

Terry Fox Run
Foundation’s mission is to maintain the principles of Terry Fox while raising money for cancer research through the annual Terry Fox Run. (Toronto)
( www.terryfoxrun.org )

Toronto All Stars Steel Pan Orchestra
Student-based musical band. (Toronto)

Toronto International Film Festival
One of the world’s top annual film events. (Toronto)
( www.tiffg.ca ) 

Toronto Symphony Orchestra - (Toronto)
( www.tso.on.ca )

UJA - March of the Living International
A program that teaches young people the lessons of the Holocaust.
( www.motl.org )

Health

AIDS Committee of Toronto
Provides support, HIV prevention and education services for people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. (Toronto)
( www.actoronto.org ) 

Alzheimer Society of Greater Toronto
Organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer Disease and advance the search for the cure. (Toronto)
( www.alzheimer.ca )     

American Liver Foundation
Promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by hepatitis and other liver-related disease. (New York, NY)
( www.liverfoundation.org )

Booby Ball
Contributed to the silent auction at the 4th annual Booby Ball, held in support of Rethink Breast Cancer. (Toronto)
( www.boobyball.com ) ( www.rethinkbreastcancer.com )

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) – “Everyday Heroes”
Program emphasizing that volunteers and donors are “Everyday Heroes”. (Toronto)
( www.bloodservices.ca )

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
The leading national volunteer-based organization in Canada dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. (Toronto)
( www.cbcf.org/ )

Canadian Cancer Society
Organization of volunteers working for the eradication of cancer and improving the quality of life of those with cancer. (Toronto)
( www.cancer.ca )

Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR)
A national charitable foundation whose goal is to raise awareness in order to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV infection and AIDS. (Toronto)
( www.canfar.com)

Carousel of Hope Aid
Providing information and counseling to the public about breast cancer. (Toronto)
( www.geocities.com/ladysnowden )

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada
Voluntary medical research foundation working to find the cure for inflammatory bowel disease. (Toronto)
( www.ccfc.ca )

Cure Autism Now Foundation (CAN)
An organization of parents, clinicians and leading scientists committed to accelerating the pace of biomedical research in autism through raising money for research projects, education and outreach. (Los Angeles)
( www.cureautismnow.org )

Down Syndrome Research Foundation
To empower people with Down syndrome to achieve their potential, lead independent and fulfilled lives, and participate fully in their communities. (Burnaby, Ontario)
( www.dsrf.org )

Fife House
To provide secure and affordable supportive housing and support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS. (Toronto)
( www.fifehouse.org )

George Knudson Oakdale Pro-Am
Sponsored the 2005 Scotiabank George Knudson Oakdale Pro-Am, a golf tournament organized to raise funds for cancer research on behalf of Princess Margaret Hospital and the Israel Cancer Research Fund. (Toronto)

Grand River Hospital Foundation
Supports and serves the mission and patient care needs of the Grand River Hospital. (Kitchener)
( www.grhf.org )

Independent Living Resource Centre of Calgary
Cross disability, community-based organization helping people with disabilities to make informed choices about their lives and to achieve more independence. (Calgary, Alberta)
( www.ilrcc.ab.ca )

Jacob's Ladder - The Canadian Foundation for Control of Neurodegenerative Disease
To benefit children with Neurodegenerative Disease and to reduce the occurrences of these types of diseases in the future. (Aurora)
( www.jacobsladder.ca )

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Researching a cure for diabetes. (New York, NY)
( www.jdf.org )

National Ovarian Cancer Association
Dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer and raising awareness about the problem. (Toronto)
( www.ovariancanada.org )

Parkinsons Society Canada – SuperWalk
Finding the cause and cure for Parkinson's disease. (Toronto)
( www.parkinson.ca )

The POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer Control
Founded in 1983 by a group of pediatric oncologists to champion care for childhood cancer. (Toronto)
( www.pogo.ca )

Rethink Breast Cancer Canada
Devoted to research and raising awareness of the fight against breast cancer. (Toronto)
( www.rethinkbreastcancer.com )

Rouge Valley Health System Foundation
Serves the healthcare needs of some 530,000 residents in the Ontario communities (Toronto)
( www.rougevalley.ca )

Rogers Sportsnet – 9th Annual Fore Tiny Hearts Golf Tournament
Proceeds go to the Hospital for Sick Children's Cardiac Unit. (Toronto)

Sheena’s Place – “Fireball 2004”
Hope and support for people with eating disorders. (Toronto)
( www.sheenasplace.org )

Sunnybrook & Women’s Foundation
With excellent programs in cancer, heart, neurosciences, orthopaedics, perinatal and gynecology, trauma, stroke, women’s health and caring for war veterans, Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre (Sunnybrook & Women’s) is at the forefront of Canada’s leading academic health sciences centres. (Toronto)
(www.sunnybrookandwomens.on.ca)

Promotional Synergy Connections – Silver Stick Finals
Skating For A Cause. (Port Huron)

Think First Foundation of Canada
Prevent brain and spinal cord injury through education aimed at healthy behaviors in children and youth. (Toronto)
( www.thinkfirst.ca )

Tori's Buddies Research Fund
A charity dedicated to the international fight against Spinal Muscular Atrophy. (Ajax)
( www.fightsma.ca )

Toronto Nurses
Involved in treating SARS patients, 2003 (Toronto)

University of Toronto – Faculty of Dentistry – “Awards of Distinction Gala”
Raising funds for oral health research. (Toronto)
( www.utoronto.ca/dentistry )

Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation
To meet the ever-changing health demands and to keep up with the continually advancing technology. (Vernon)
( www.vjhfoundation.org )

York Central Hospital Foundation
Committed to raising funds for equipment and facilities needed to meet the health care requirements of rapidly growing community. (Richmond Hill)
( www.yorkcentral.com )

Sports

Canadian Olympic Committee
Golf Tournament Supports Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund (Montreal)
( www.olympic.ca )

Maccabi Canada
Athletic organization promoting Jewish identity and traditions through athletic, cultural, social and educational activities for both youth and adults alike and to promote a bond with Israel, both domestically and abroad. (Toronto)
( www.maccabicanada.com )

The National Ballet School
The Sapphire Gala – Celebrating its 45th anniversary year. (Toronto)
( www.nbs-enb.on.ca )

National Thorougbred Racing Association (NTRA) - (Lexington, KY)
( www.ntra.com )

NHL Players Association
2005 NHLPA Golf Classic - Donation made for silent auction.
( www.nhlpa.com )

Olympic Spirit Toronto
Interactive Olympic center where the spirit of the Olympic Games is kept alive 365 days a year. (Toronto)
( www.olympicspirit.ca )

Sharpshooters Youth Hockey Team
Silent auction raising funds for team.

Special Olympics Golf Tournament
Support and raise funds for the Special Olympics Ontario 2005 Summer Games - (Niagara Region)

Sport By Ability Niagara (SBAN) - Annual Awards and Banquet Night
Celebrating disabled children, youth and adults. (St. Catharines)
( niagara.cioc.ca )

Toronto Services Soccer League
Roots United Soccer Team (Toronto)
( www.tssl.on.ca )

Variety Village Sunshine Swim Team
Contributed to the Variety Village Sunshine Swim Team on their international competition in South America. Variety Village provides essential sport training and fitness programs to children and adults of all abilities to help them develop a greater sense of independence, self-worth, confidence and well-being. (Toronto)
(www.varietyontario.ca)

World Congress of Amateur Athletes
Team Canada Martial Arts (Toronto)

Canadian Olympic athletes sponsored by Roots
Alexandre Despatie, Adam van Koeverden, Ross Rebagliati, and the Canadian Speed Skating Association

Individuals

Hackett, Finola
National Spelling Bee Champ, 2005 (Edmonton)

Malley, Malcolm
Led initiative to give clothing to families in Holland in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Canadian liberation of Holland in 1945 from Nazi occupation. (Canada and Holland)

Pedlar, Paige – “Cuddle the Orphans”
Young activist working to combat HIV/AIDS in Third World countries. (Belleville)

Purcell, Anthony – "Nova Scotian in Motion"
A young man who did a trek in his wheelchair across Canada to promote awareness of wheelchair sports. (Canada)
( www.novascotianinmotion.com )

Other/Misc…

American ORT
One of the largest non-governmental education and training organizations in the world. (New York, NY)
( www.aort.org )

Baycrest Centre Foundation
To enrich the quality of life of the elderly. (Toronto)
( www.baycrest.org )

City of Toronto - Moose in the City - (Toronto)
( www.city.toronto.on.ca/moose )

Hadassah-Wizo Organization of Canada
Non-political women's volunteer organization dedicated to the support of education, career training, healthcare, women and youth services in Israel and Canada. (Montreal)
( www.canadian-hadassah-wizo.org )

Houselink Community Homes
To improve the quality of life of psychiatric survivors and people who are homeless or otherwise marginalized, through the provision of permanent affordable supportive housing. (Toronto)
( www.houselink.on.ca )

Human Rights Watch - “Voices for Justice”
Focusing on human rights abuses in every region of the world. (Toronto)
( www.hrw.org )

Israel Experience Photo Contest
Every year thousands of Canadian students visit Israel and return with lasting memories and photos from their incredible experience. (Toronto)
( www.ciephotocontest.com )

Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE)
Raising funds for an organization that reduces violence among youth and in local communities. (Toronto)
( www.leaveoutviolence.com )

NBC Universal – Charity Golf Tournament
( www.nbcuni.com ) 

Royal Canadian Mounted Police - (Ottawa)
( www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca )

Touchstone Youth Centre
An emergency shelter for homeless youth. (Toronto)
( www.touchstoneyc.com )

United Way International
Mobilizing local leaders and their communities to identify and address local human needs.
( www.uwint.org )

Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care
Providing high quality and culturally appropriate services for seniors to live their lives in the healthiest, most independent and dignified way. (Scarborough, Ontario)
( www.yeehong.com)

YMCA Charities Canada - (Toronto)
( www.ymca.ca )