Emterra Environmental’s gifts to Niagara Health Foundation in support of the Walker Family Cancer Centre over eight years tops $300,000

July 30, 2019

Can Niagara’s blue and grey recycling boxes help fight cancer? They sure can, thanks to how much the Region’s residents and businesses recycle each year.

Eight years ago, when Emterra Environmental took over the contract to collect recyclables from residential households and businesses, the company committed to an annual program to improve the quality of life in the Niagara Region. To do this, the company chose to direct its support of the Niagara Health Foundation to the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) and promised to make a donation each year of their contract with the Region. But there was a catch.

The amount Emterra gave each year was based on the total weight of recyclables and used batteries Niagara residents recycled. Under its award-winning, made-in-Niagara ‘Make Your Contribution at the CurbTM’ (MYCATC) program, for every tonne of recyclables and used batteries recycled, Emterra donates $1 to the WFCC to strengthen local cancer care.

Today, Emterra’s Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Paulina Leung, presented a cheque for $37,930 to the Niagara Health Foundation to represent the 37,930 tonnes of recyclables and used batteries collected during 2018.

This gift brought the total that Emterra has donated so far to the Niagara Health Foundation to $311,900.

“It is a highlight of my year to visit the Walker Family Cancer Centre in St. Catharines to personally present the ‘Make Your Contribution at the CurbTM’ cheque,” explains Leung. In addition to blue and grey box recyclables and used batteries, Emterra also collects bulky waste, yard waste and organics under contract to the Region of Niagara.

“We are very proud of the Emterra Environmental and Niagara Region ‘Make Your Contribution at the CurbTM’ challenge,” Leung said. “This program, which is a core component of our Community CareTM program, is a premier example of how the regional government and a private sector company like ours can work together for the betterment of the community. And, it’s always fun to remind residents that the more they recycle…the more we give.”

On hand at the WFCC today to accept Emterra’s gift in a cheque presentation were Rev. Bob Bond and Chaplain Vanden Boogaard representing Niagara Health’s Spiritual Care Team.

“We are happy to highlight the importance of Spiritual Care as part of the cancer program’s goal of meeting the emotional as well as physical needs of patients. Donors who contributed to our new facilities have allowed all aspects of our cancer program to flourish,” said Roger Ali, President & CEO of Niagara Health Foundation.

Among those present, at the celebratory event at the Walker Family Cancer Centre, this afternoon were Rev. Bob Bond and Chaplain Al Vanden Boogaard who provide spiritual care as part of holistic approach to care at the hospital.

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