GUELPH, ON, June 12 /CNW/ - The Co-operators announced today donations
totalling $224,075 to 183 Canadian charitable organizations, including ten
from the tri-city. 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,"
explains 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 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.
    The following tri-city charitable organizations benefited from The
Co-operators 2007 Directed Donations Program:

    -   Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre (Guelph)
    -   Hospice Wellington
    -   Change Now Youth Drop In Centre (Guelph)
    -   Big Brothers Big Sisters (Guelph)
    -   Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation (Fergus)
    -   Habitat for Humanity (Wellington Branch)
    -   Michael House (Guelph)
    -   Lisaard House (Cambridge)
    -   Big Brothers Big Sisters (Kitchener)
    -   Kidsability Foundation (Waterloo)

    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.

    About The Co-operators:

    Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is a group of Canadian
companies offering home, auto, life, group, commercial and farm insurance, as
well as investment products and property development. With assets of more than
$6.5 billion, The Co-operators is owned by 34 Canadian co-operatives, credit
unions and like-minded organizations. It is well known for its community
involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators, (519)
824-4400 ext. 2707