Self-storage company Access Storage is proud to support healthy communities where its employees work and live – and in the case of Ottawa, that means joining a host of other companies as a matching donor sponsor for the annual CHEO Telethon.
“We do have a focus on health-care support, and we also support disaster relief efforts and community food assistance programs,” explains Jenna Chivers, senior national manager of corporate partnerships at Access Storage’s parent company, Storage Vault Canada.
“This grassroots level of support is also extremely important to us. We actually have more than 370 partners that we are involved with at the community level, from coast to coast.”
Chivers says its sponsorship as a matching donor also means a great deal to Access Storage’s employees, because – as is often the case – the company was introduced to this charity partner by some of its Ottawa-area employees. “This was something near and dear to their heart, something they were passionate about and wanted us to consider,” she says.
As soon as Chivers’ team connected with CHEO in 2022 to learn more “about how incredible their organization was and the immense impact they are having on children and youth throughout Eastern Ontario,” it became clear they needed to work with CHEO “as a true community partner,” she says.
Matching up to $15,000 in donations
Now in the third year of their partnership, the company will match up to $15,000 in donations made during the CHEO Telethon’s live portion on CTV and CFRA, taking place June 7 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Access Storage’s featured child during the telethon is Cece, and she’s a prime example of the great work performed at CHEO every day – work that telethon donations directly support.
Cece was born on Christmas Day in 2019 and, due to medical complications, was immediately sent to CHEO’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Her parents were worried. But she eventually rallied under CHEO’s care. Now, the hospital’s complex care team, along with numerous other specialists, are part of Cece’s ongoing care.
CHEO says work like this simply couldn’t happen without matching donor sponsorships from companies like Access Storage. Other matching CHEO Telethon donors include W.O. Stinson & Son, Subaru Outaouais, Dave and Ann Trick, RBC, and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa.
The Ottawa Professional Fire Fighter Association, St. Hubert Foundation, Danbe Foundation, and CHEO Staff Forum/Bear Fitness Centre will provide Daily Miracle Matches between June 2 and 7 during morning show segments on CTV and CFRA.
‘Coming together to help the children’
“Their generosity enables us to provide what CHEO, the CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice need to help children, youth and families,” says Katrina Bussey, vice-president of strategy and communications at CHEO Foundation.
“I’ve been at CHEO for 23 years, and I love the CHEO Telethon because it’s an opportunity to showcase how our generous community rallies around CHEO and the families we serve. Without donors and community leaders like the team at Access Storage, the work of caring for vulnerable young patients and supporting their caregivers would not be possible.”
Bussey says this is a transformational time for the hospital, currently undertaking a $220-million fundraising initiative to build an Integrated Treatment Centre, with other renovations planned in the coming years.
“Thanks to a wonderful partnership with Bell Media, the Telethon will highlight the Kids These Days campaign. This redevelopment is the first in our 50-year history and the live broadcast of the CHEO Telethon on CTV Ottawa is our chance to show how much this work is needed by bringing viewers inside the doors of CHEO so they can experience how their donations make a truly meaningful impact. We are so grateful.”
The Telethon is already online until June 7 at telethon.cheofoundation.com/home. Donations can also be made by calling 613-730-CHEO (2436) during the live Telethon on Saturday, June 7, during which time donations are matched by a sponsor such as Access Storage.
