Over the next 25 trading days, the CIBC Children’s Foundation will donate more than $1 million to children’s charities across Canada to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CIBC Miracle Day.

On CIBC Miracle Day, the first Wednesday of December every year, CIBC’s wholesale banking sales and trading staff and CIBC Wood Gundy investment advisors donate their fees and commissions to support the health, well-being and education of children across the country. Since it began in 1984, Miracle Day has raised more than $50 million in Canada. This year, Miracle Day falls on December 2.

To kick-off its 25 days of Miracles, CIBC Children’s Foundation announced Monday that it is a founding funder of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBS), Big Bunch Program. CIBC’s latest contribution brings the Foundation’s total donation To BBBS to more than $300,000. The Big Bunch Program is a group mentoring program that serves little brothers and sisters who are on the waiting list for a one-on-one Big match.

In 2009, the Foundation will donate close to $4 million to benefit a wide range of children’s charities across the country. The Foundation helps thousands of children every year, from a hot meal to start the day, shelter in the midst of a crisis, the opportunity to go to camp, be part of a team or learn a new skill.

“On December 2, we work for a different boss – children in need all across Canada,” says Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and CEO, CIBC World Markets Inc. “Miracle Day is traditionally one of our busiest trading days of the year as clients large and small know their commissions go to help their favourite kid’s charities.

IE