The Charitable Office is born

While TPH^® was flourishing in the '70s and '80s, the number of requests for donations - in particular, print donations - was rising exponentially and being handled at the branch level. In 1985, TPH^® Chairman and CEO Earle O'Born decided that all requests needed to be handled from a central office, in order to establish a consistent donation policy. He appointed his wife Janice to be Chairman of the newly-created Charitable Office. Both Earle and Janice have always had a strong desire to give back to the community, not only with money and services, but also with time and effort. It is Earle's belief that a company's good fortune brings with it the social responsibility to give back. Since its inception, all donation requests have been reviewed at the Charitable Office. Over the years certain prerequisites have been established:

• Any donation must be in-kind
• Organizations asking for assistance must be registered with the Canadian government
• The monies raised by the charities must remain in Canada to benefit Canadians
• Requests from third parties or religious or politically affiliated groups will not be granted
• No support will be given to events involving gambling
• Emphasis is given to charities dedicated to women, children, health and education

Donations can be given in two ways: through an in-kind donation or with TPH^® dollars, which are applied to specific invoices. However, each branch is also directed to provide a 15 per cent discount to any registered Canadian charity without seeking approval from the Charitable Office. One of the prime functions of the Charitable Office is to instil and encourage volunteerism and philanthropy in the TPH^® staff. Over the past 25 years, the Charitable Office has organized walks, runs and rides to raise money for a variety of registered Canadian charities across Canada. Many other programs have been initiated from this office, including payroll participation, food and clothing drives, Christmas parties for disadvantaged children, working in food banks, the production of cookbooks and greeting cards, and many more. The charities selected for support are located in the communities in which TPH^® conducts business.
But the Charitable Office goes beyond organizing charity drives and events; it has taken on the role of educating TPH^® employees about national, humanitarian, environmental and community issues. At TPH^® we believe in being good citizens and neighbours, and in order to do that, we think people need to be fully informed in order to make responsible decisions and choices. TPH^® Charitable Office has engaged employees in a variety of creative ways, through sessions such as movie nights, guest speakers, lunch and learn sessions and articles in our bi-weekly newsletter, It's Possible. Participation in events is voluntary and the Charitable Office is careful to avoid content that is politically or religiously affiliated, rather focusing on community, humanitarian and health related topics.

Our employees have come to know the Charitable Office as the compassionate arm of the organization. When a staff member has a significant life event - like a birth, wedding or death in the family - TPH^® Charitable Office makes sure to acknowledge it with a card. As a resource and information centre, the Charitable Office helps TPH^® employees connect with the resources they need in the communities in which they live.

Janice's charitable efforts have known no boundaries, as volunteer work has always been - and continues to be - an important part of her life. Over the years, she has been invited to serve on the boards of a number of registered Canadian charities, or to chair various events on their behalf. Through her efforts and those of the Charitable Office, in excess of $35 million has been raised for a variety of charities including hospitals, schools, and other educational and health-related organizations. She currently serves on the boards of The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Charter for Business, Canadian Centre for Diversity and the SickKids Foundation. Janice is the Co-Chairman of the 2010 True Patriot Love Tribute Dinner, and an advisor to CANFAR, Fife House Capital Campaign, and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards.

Janice says she doesn't seek out her good works - they have a way of finding her. "The spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy begins with a genuine concern for our fellow human beings," she says. "I want to end each day knowing that I have done my best in making a difference by helping others help themselves."