OMERS is honoured to receive recognition for its community volunteer initiatives from New York Cares, a charity making a critical impact in the lives of at-risk New Yorkers. At its 2014 Winter Benefit, New York Cares highlighted the significant fundraising and volunteer efforts of the New York-based team of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest pension plans.
From its New York office, which opened in 2009, OMERS makes investments on behalf of its members through operating investment entities Borealis Infrastructure, OMERS Capital Markets, OMERS Private Equity and Oxford Properties Group. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of OMERS culture, and employees in New York chose to sponsor New York Cares in 2012 due to the organization’s critical work and sustainable positive impact on the lives of people in the area.
"At OMERS we have a strong desire to give back to the communities in which we live and work. Employees in our New York office together chose New York Cares as the charity we wanted to support, due to its vital work and our ability to make a difference alongside them. We are very proud to support and receive this recognition from New York’s largest volunteer organization," said Michael Graham, Executive Managing Director at OMERS Private Equity.
The less than 40 employees in the OMERS New York office have raised more than $100,000 for New York Cares in the past three years, becoming a Platinum Sponsor. There has been 100% participation in fundraising and volunteer efforts, which include working with students in a low-income New York neighbourhood, assisting revitalization efforts at Gantry Plaza State Park, and participating in the coat drive for people affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"New York Cares is delighted to recognize and honour the outstanding efforts of our corporate partner, OMERS. Their generous participation in fundraising and commitment to volunteerism have played a critical role in helping New York Cares meet the pressing needs of over 400,000 at-risk New Yorkers this past year," said Paul J. Taubman, Board President, New York Cares.
