Annual Impact Report 2021

This year once again, stores across Alberta participated in fundraising activities to benefit research and care at Alberta Children’s Hospital – and to help create a family-friendly healing environment that helps kids feel good while they’re getting better. In one notable activity, The Brick took its fundraising efforts to the airwaves through a radiothon in support of the hospital. “We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of Children’s Miracle Network partners like The Brick, year after year,” says Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Brick stores in the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation region achieved extraordinary results in 2021. During the “Buy More Give More Save More” campaign, they achieved the highest fundraising totals in Canada — exceeding their goal by more than 223%. Like businesses elsewhere in the country (and around the world), Brick stores in BC continued to adapt to the disruptions of the pandemic; prioritizing safety, they chose not to host visits by Foundation or Hospital representatives, and shifting to a campaign wrap-up event instead of the usual launch celebration. The fact that these teams reached such impressive totals while adjusting their activities to ensure the safety of associates and customers as well as people associated with BC Children’s attests to a true commitment to the health of kids and families in their local communities.

The Brick’s commitment to CHEO has been rock solid, even at a time of extraordinary business and supply chain disruptions. During the Jeep promotional week associated with “Buy More, Give More, Save More,” stores in Eastern Ontario mounted creative displays with CHEO collateral, balloons, Brickley bears — and, of course, mountains of Jeep toys. With this level of engagement, it’s not surprising that during six years of partnership to date, Brick managers, associates and customers have directed more than $250,000 in support to their local children’s hospital. And after a pause amid the unique disruptions of 2020, the CHEO Foundation team was delighted to see the Brick resume a valued mode of sponsorship: “We’re thrilled that The Brick has so generously sponsored our Champions program, joining us in celebrating exceptional kids who rise up in the face of their health challenges,” says Barbara Stead-Coyle, CEO of the CHEO Foundation.

When the CHEO Foundation team visited Ottawa-area stores this year, they encountered team members keen to have meaningful conversations about the impact of their fundraising — and how to make their results even stronger. Daisy Arora, Regional Sales Manager, sums up the commitment: “CHEO is a perfect fit for our stores because all of our employees and customers believe that every child should be healthy and happy — and CHEO is a major part to this, as children are the future of our world.”

It was a trip to a children’s hospital on Christmas Eve that cemented Sanket Hanspal’s commitment to supporting the cause of children’s health as a manager at The Brick. Delivering Brickley bears to kids who were spending the holiday in the hospital was a powerful experience. “The smile on those kids’ faces takes all your worries away,” says Sanket. “I realized later that the feeling I had could not be expressed or explained, but only felt.” Since then, Sanket has been a fundraising leader in his stores, challenging his staff to make the ask with every customer, engaging with customers through Brickley’s birthday celebration weekends and reminding customers of the difference they can make in the lives of local children and families through Children’s Hospital. He’s thrilled that The Brick does its part to extend the impact of his store. “The best part is that our company matches up to $100,000. It all goes to the cause.”

It’s this kind of collaboration that makes the biggest difference, says Children’s Health Foundation President and CEO Scott Fortnum. “Each employee, customer, manager and owner plays an important role in ensuring the best possible care for our kids in our region,” he says. ”Without everyone working together, Children’s Hospital would not be the world-class facility it is today.”

The Brick has remained steadfast in its support of the IWK this year, even taking on new activities while managing business disruptions related to COVID-19. In addition to participating in cross-Canada fundraising activities in 2021 that celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary, stores in the IWK region have focused on building relationships and planning market-specific activations for 2022. Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation President and CEO, is excited for the future. “We can’t wait to work together to grow our partnership in 2022,” she says, noting that the partnership has strong foundations to build on, and extending personal congratulations on the Brick’s 50th anniversary. “In addition to raising funds through their new signature campaign Buy More, Save More, Give More, The Brick continued to support the Champions program this year. We’re very grateful.” Strong commitment to the collaboration flows both ways. “The Brick is extremely proud to be supporting the IWK,” says Andrew Graham, Director of Stores, Atlantic. “As a member of the community, it’s important for us to support those most vulnerable, especially the youngest among us. We believe that every child deserves to have a healthy and bright future, and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.”

The Brick is a new partner for the Janeway Foundation. To celebrate this first stage of collaboration, The Brick made a $10,000 donation to the Foundation, kick-starting a year of fundraising for kids’ health in Newfoundland and Labrador. The support will make a difference immediately, says Rebecca Dutton, President and CEO of the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Whether to fund the latest innovations in medical technology, or to expand upon specialized pediatric programs, your support will most certainly help to enrich the care that our children receive each and every day.” Store manager Lisa Whelan sees strong foundations for the partnership: “The Brick is extremely proud to be supporting the Janeway. As a member of the community, it’s important for us to support those most vulnerable, especially the youngest among us. We believe that every child deserves to have a healthy and bright future, and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.”

When a team shares a strong dedication to a cause, special things happen. The best example of this is the team at the St. James Brick location in Winnipeg. For the sixth straight year, this store was the top CMN fundraising location in Canada by volume. This kind of record can only be achieved through hard work on the part of every single leader and staff member. To help celebrate this achievement, a plaque was made and presented to the whole team by Brady, our 2021 Champion, who also spoke to the team about the impact of their work.

Employees also shared personal stories about why the cause of children’s health is so important to them — and why they work so hard to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. It was a special and well deserved moment of celebration for a team who go the distance for Manitoba kids. “We are so thankful for all of the employees at the Brick for their unwavering dedication to our cause,” says Stefano Grande, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “Every child in Manitoba deserves the highest-quality health care. Thank you for all you do to ensure they get it.”

Leading up to the Buy More Give More Save More campaign in October, store managers from south-central Ontario united for a virtual meeting to share inspirational stories about why they fundraise for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation and why their partnership with Children’s Miracle Network is so important. The cause clearly resonates with staff and customers, as The Brick continues to make a positive difference to kids’ health in our community through energetic year-round fundraising and consistent promotion of Brickley bear sales. With an effective mix of consistent messaging and personal touch, team members communicate to colleagues and customers why local support for local hospitals matters. “A heartfelt thank you to The Brick and its customers for remarkable support,” says Pearl Veenema, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “Our partnership through Children’s Miracle Network enables our health care teams to provide vital care for our region’s children and their families at McMaster Children’s Hospital. We are extremely grateful for your commitment and generosity.”

“The dedication of The Brick family and the store teams is extraordinary. Thank you for pouring your hearts into supporting the health of children in Quebec,” says Julie Lemieux, President and CEO of Opération Enfant Soleil. A personal touch animates Brick teams’ fundraising efforts across Quebec — from the the crayons Brick employee Luc Vallée distributes to customers who support the cause to the sweet homemade macaroons Brick employees gave to Chloé Lacasse, the four-year-old “enfant soleil” from Estrie (who has had three brain surgeries to help manage her epilepsy). Luc’s small gesture of offering crayons connects to a larger vision. “Caring for our children, we guarantee a better future — changing the world one child at a time” he says.

“Thanks to our partners at The Brick for their fundraising efforts 365 days a year. With the support of your customers we are able to make miracles happen for kids, moms-to-be and families in Saskatchewan by providing access to critical provincial maternal and children’s programs, innovative research and urgently needed equipment at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.” – Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Brick store managers and consultants – from across the GTA and throughout Central and Northern Ontario – work throughout the year to support SickKids. They show unwavering commitment to the cause through participation in Tents Sales, the “Buy More Save More Give More” event, Brickley’s birthday and the simple act of asking customers to join them in supporting kids’ health. SickKids extends congratulations and gratitude to the region’s top fundraising consultants in 2021: Doreen Henderson (Orangeville), Zafar Saeed (Barrie) and Dan Tejada (Midland). Along with these outstanding performers, every other Brick employee and customer who helped to make the 2021 campaign a success has also helped bring SickKids closer to realizing its new state-of-the-art campus where children with the greatest health needs will receive the best possible care.
“Thank you, The Brick, for helping build a new SickKids and support our highest priority needs at this challenging time. We truly value your long-standing support for child health in Canada though Children’s Miracle Network” – Ted Garrard, CEO, SickKids Foundation

This year, the Stollery was proud to celebrate The Brick’s 50-year anniversary with a custom video of gratitude and congratulation. “Our partners at The Brick are helping us to make sure the Stollery’s world-class care is there for kids across northern Alberta and beyond,” says Mike House, president and CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to The Brick, we can fund the best people, programs, equipment and research right here in our region.” Although gatherings were constrained by COVID-19 early in the year, later in 2021 The Brick was able to host Champion Ryland and his dad at the Alberta Junior Hockey League Teddy Bear Toss, an annual event where Brickley Bears are sold in support of the Stollery. And fittingly for The Brick’s 50th anniversary year, one fundraiser that exceeded all expectations was a 50/50 opportunity led by The Brick and The Oilers Community Foundation; the effort netted over $100,000 in donations.