RBC employees from across the Cayman Islands recently volunteered their time for 10 projects at six local organisations in support of RBC’s Day of Service Grants Programme. The Day of Service Grants Programme is a global initiative undertaken by RBC to support the volunteerism efforts of its employees. The 10 projects in Cayman spanned many areas of need and involved more than 75 employees and family members who contributed more than 200 hours of community service. In addition, for each project completed between April 6 and June 13, 2014, RBC donated $1,000 to the organisations assisted. In all, the 2014 programme resulted in $10,000 being donated to Cayman Islands’ charities.

Organisations receiving the support were:

* Blue Iguana Recovery Programme in Grand Cayman — Enclosure Renovations

* Cayman Islands Cancer Society (2 grants) — Ice on Ice Gala Event Support and Cancer Survivors Dinner

* Cayman Islands Humane Society (2 grants) — Shelter Help and Community Give Back Project

* National Drug Council – Youth to Youth Programme — Youth-to-Youth Car Wash

* Georgetown Primary School (3 grants) — Grow Box Agricultural Project

* National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) — Volunteering at the Bargain Shop

“RBC employees are passionate volunteers,” said Mr. Michael Munnings, Country Head and Area Vice President for RBC in the Cayman Islands. “Our staff lends their energy and expertise to initiatives that affect virtually every aspect of our communities. The RBC Day of Service Grants Programme gives us the opportunity to further encourage volunteering and aid local charities.”

“The NCVO is so grateful for the amazing volunteers from RBC who not only assisted at the NCVO’s ‘New to You’ Bargain Shop with organising, but also gave a monetary donation which will assist with the other NCVO programmes,” said Ms. Alta Bodden-Solomon, NCVO Coordinator. “Continued financial and volunteer support is essential to our efforts with the care, education and wellbeing of children and families in our community.”

Across the Caribbean region, RBC employees planned and implemented more than 100 volunteer projects as part of this programme. In all, RBC completed 1,240 projects around the world, engaging more than 10,000 people in volunteerism.

“The Humane Society extends a big ‘thank you’ to RBC for making a donation to us and for coming to the shelter for their Day of Service,” said Ms. Lesley Walker, Humane Society Director. “Projects like these benefit the shelter in so many ways: having extra hands for walking dogs, cleaning cages, painting and more. We look forward to meeting the RBC team again next year.”

The Day of Service Grants Programme is just one of the ways that RBC gives back to the community. RBC contributions support a range of causes, from health, education and the environment to human services, youth and arts and culture. This philanthropic support is an extension of RBC globally, which is recognized around the world as a leading corporate citizen.

“Our goal is to help maintain the social fabric of communities today and to ensure success for tomorrow in all the markets where we do business,” added Mr. Munnings. “Giving back through volunteerism and charitable donations is an expression of our citizenship, and it’s a hallmark of our firm that makes RBC a great place to work and do business.”

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