Serenia Life Financial Donating 15 Bikes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region
The bike giveaway was part of a team-building exercise, where Serenia Life advisors came together to support a charity of their choosing.
WATERLOO, ON | SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 — Serenia Life Financial, a member-based organization providing life insurance and investment solutions across Canada, will be donating 15 bikes to Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region. The bikes are intended for kids between the ages of 9 and 14 years old who may require a bike to get to and from school and other extracurricular activities.
“We would like to thank Serenia Life for this generous donation,” said Stacey Robertson, Service Delivery Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region. “The children that receive these bicycles will not only be given a mode of transportation, they will have greater opportunities to explore their communities as well as a means of accessing events, activities, and people within them.”
The Supercycle bikes range in size from 24 to 26 inches and were built onsite at Serenia Life’s Waterloo office, located at 470 Weber Street North. Serenia Life’s career advisors and members of the organization’s senior leadership team built the bikes as part of a three-day conference. King Street Cycles owner Andy Cox provided support, offering his bike technician services for the event.
The donation is part of a Serenia Life Action Team, which encourages members to organize a fundraiser for a charity that is important to them. Serenia Life provides $150 in seed money to help kickstart the fundraising event and throws in a post-event donation of $100 to support the selected charity.
“We’re so happy to be able to donate these bicycles to Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region,” said Duane Zappitelli, Vice President, Sales and Distribution at Serenia Life Financial. “Access to bikes isn’t just about fun; it’s a pathway to independence, exploration, and adventure. And we’re thrilled to be able to provide that opportunity to those in need.”
The bike-building Action Team is just one of many fundraising initiatives supported by Serenia Life. The organization also awards post-secondary scholarships to members, and participates in an annual hockey tournament to raise money for local homeless support agencies. Serenia Life also runs a Payroll Deduction Program, whereby employees can donate a portion of their paycheque to charities in need and Serenia Life matches that donation at the end of each year.
“At Serenia Life, we encourage our staff and our members to live generously by giving back to the community through various charitable initiatives,” said Glenn Hymers, President & CEO of Serenia Life Financial. “Our core values are rooted in kindness, empathy, collaboration, and generosity. And it is important for our organization to epitomize those values.”
Between 2018 and 2022, Serenia Life’s charitable impact was $3,245,749. Its total charitable impact between 1972 and 2022 is $56.1 million.
In addition to Serenia Life’s community support benefits and scholarship opportunities, members also receive access to caregiving courses, bereavement benefits, a baby bonus for purchasing life insurance for a newborn, first aid training, help covering the cost of volunteering away from home, access to a free legal will, and much more.
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ABOUT SERENIA LIFE FINANCIAL
Serenia Life Financial is a member-based organization that provides insurance and investment solutions to more than 33,000 members across Canada. The business manages assets of $351 million, and had $3.6 billion of in-force insurance as of December 31, 2022. Serenia Life is committed to re-investing a portion of their earnings into community outreach and unique member benefits that support members, their families, and the causes they care about. They’re on a mission to prove a business can be kind and to inspire generosity in their employees, their members, and the communities they serve.
Website: SereniaLife.ca
Facebook: @SereniaLife
Instagram: @serenialife
LinkedIn: @SereniaLife
X: @SereniaLife
ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WATERLOO REGION
Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region fosters and supports safe and empowering mentoring relationships for children and youth in the community. With a focus on children and youth who struggle with societal barriers and personal adversities, Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region matches them with volunteers who can provide mentorship and guidance. By delivering high quality volunteer-based mentoring programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region has the power to change lives, allowing children and youth to achieve their full potential.
Website: waterloo.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Facebook: @BBBSWR
Instagram: @BBBSWR
LinkedIn: @BBBSWR
X: @BBBSWR
For media inquiries, please contact: media@serenialife.ca