The Co-operators announced today donations totalling $224,075 to 183 Canadian charitable organizations.

The contributions were part of the Directed Donations program, in which each staff member directs $75 of corporate funds to the charity of his or her choice.

“We’re proud to stand behind the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to improve the lives of people in real and measurable ways,” says Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. “With so many of our staff using their paid volunteer day to serve at charities here in Guelph, Ont. and right across the country, we see very clearly how much of a positive difference this kind of assistance makes.”

A list of staff-chosen charities was compiled and each participating staff member then selected which organization his or her designated $75 of corporate funds would go towards. With an overall staff participation rate in the program of 84%, The Co-operators is sending a clear signal of support to Canada’s charitable sector.

The new allocation of $75 per staff member represents a substantial increase in the level of funding each member can donate, rising from $50 per staff member just last year.

Also new this year, each member of the The Co-operators board of directors and every Co-operators delegate representing the various regions in Canada was encouraged to direct $125 to charity, as opposed to last year’s $100 per director and delegate.

To further emphasize their commitment to these hard working charitable groups, Co-operators staff are personally presenting the donations to many of the recipient organizations. By making that personal connection, The Co-operators thanks and congratulates these scores of caring women and men who, every day, quietly go about making their communities better places.