Support Office colleagues come together for 3rd annual Give Back Days

Members of our Support Office team spent time in communities giving back to local food banks and social service organizations.

As part of our commitment to being a Force for Good, over 120 colleagues from Support Office contributed 400+ volunteer hours between April 22 and May 2 in local food banks and social service organizations supporting food security programs.

Since 2023 when the first Give Back Days events were held, Support Office colleagues have contributed close to 1,500 collective volunteer hours, a true testament to our value We Dare, which is all about embracing challenges with courage and a willingness to lead change!

“Participating in Give Back Days was a meaningful, rewarding and eye-opening experience,” said Sonia Luis, Benefits Manager, who participated in the Richmond Hill volunteer shift. “360°kids provides vital support to at-risk and homeless youth in our community, and it was inspiring to see firsthand the impact their programs have on young lives. I had the opportunity to cook and serve meals for youth who rely on the organization for daily support, stability, and a sense of belonging. This gave me a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes into supporting vulnerable populations. The experience reinforced the importance of community involvement and reminded me how small acts of service can make a big difference in someone’s life.”

Located in Oshawa, Simcoe Hall provides wellness opportunities through their food bank and programs serving children, individuals and families who experience financial and social challenges. Stephanie Lee, Marketing Coordinator shared, “I had an eye-opening, wonderful experience at Simcoe House in Oshawa. Our Give Back troupe was a small group of four, but we were mighty! It was fun to problem-solve and work together (outside of work) with team members I would never otherwise see in person.”

The team in Québec City volunteered at La Bouchée généreuse, a food bank feeding 1,400 families weekly from their location in Limoilou. In its 28 years, the organization has served over 250 million meals. La Bouchée généreuse is also a thrift store and a community grocery store. During their volunteer shift, our colleagues helped distribute approximately 250 baskets to people in need. Olivier D’Amours, HR Manager, said the experience was “very rewarding and definitely worth repeating.”

As part of the Positive Pawprint Strategy, our aim is to go beyond becoming the best veterinary group in the world, to becoming the best veterinary group for the world, and through activities like Give Back Days, our annual Holiday Donation Drive and Community Grants program we’re doing just that.