Big Brothers Big Sisters will direct Gala funds to fuel its key growth strategies for both community and site-based mentoring, and towards the national goal of serving one million children annually by the year 2010. This represents ten times the number served in 2000. These aspirations are driven by the huge number of children and families who need the unique, life-changing program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters' one-to-one mentoring makes a huge difference for the youth it serves. Research consistently demonstrates that Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face. The most compelling evidence was found by Public/Private Ventures (P/PV), showing that Little Brothers and Little Sisters are:

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs;
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol;
• 52% less likely to skip school;
• 37% less likely to skip class;
• More confident in their schoolwork performance;
• Able to get along better with their families.

Please join us for our 2004 Gala. With your support and contributions, we can have a direct impact on local communities nationwide.

For information on purchasing tables or for more information on the Gala, please email gala@100womeninhedgefunds.org.

That verbal designation is all it takes to send funding to our programs for children.  It costs you nothing.

About Miracle Day www.childrensmiracle.com/usa/usa_home.asp
Each year, on the first Wednesday in December, CIBC 's employees and clients participate in a major fund raising effort on behalf of children's charities throughout the world. The fund raising campaign is known as Miracle Day.

On Miracle Day, we donate all of the fees, commissions and other monies raised to support children in need in our communities.

Miracle Day objectives.
For nearly two decades, Miracle Day has sought to raise the quality of life for children in the communities served by CIBC. It is a vivid demonstration of our dedication to preparing children for future success.

Through Miracle Day, and in partnership with our clients, we strive to build awareness of children's issues, particularly among members of the financial community. We also aim to encourage volunteerism and foster community involvement on the part of our employees.

How it all began
Miracle Day started in Canada in 1984 and was conceived by the late Timothy Miller, a manager in Toronto for Wood Gundy, which was acquired by CIBC in 1988. The program's goal was to raise money for children's charities during the holiday season. That first Miracle Day raised $123,891. Since then, Miracle Day has raised nearly $80 million for children's charities and has become an annual tradition in our offices around the world - all through the simple belief that, working together, we can make a difference in the lives of children.

Miracle Day is more than a one-day event - planning is continuous, and proceeds benefit children year-round. And it's more than a financial commitment. It's a unique, three-way partnership between CIBC, our clients, and the children's charities that are important to all of us.

We are deeply involved with the charities that we support. We encourage our employees to learn more about these organizations and to volunteer with them.