LCBO creates meaningful impact through $10 million in donations to support McMaster Children’s Hospital

Long-time partners LCBO and McMaster Children’s Hospital recently celebrated their partnership which has generated more than $10 million in donations through LCBO’s annual holiday fundraising efforts for children’s charities.

“Through this partnership, we've achieved an extraordinary milestone. LCBO’s efforts inspire customers to give, and this generosity has a profound impact on our region’s children, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care,” says Bruce Squires, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital and Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Health at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Last year, the LCBO raised $1.19 million for the hospital and this year’s campaign kicked off on November 29 and runs until December 31, 2024. Through these donations, the hospital has been able to fund programs such as its alcohol, substance abuse, addictions and mental health response program and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. LCBO President and CEO George Soleas recently toured these programs with staff from the hospital and a few LCBO employees.

“Seeing where our donations go truly fills our hearts with compassion for these patients, with hope that they will recover under your exceptional care,” George Soleas says.

Turning donations into life-saving care

The LCBO’s support has enabled the hospital to hire a dedicated nurse practitioner for their alcohol, substance abuse, addictions and mental health response program. This practitioner has trained more than 200 nursing staff in substance screening and withdrawal management, improving early identification and care for impacted youth.

“Our tour was a humbling and inspiring experience,” says Josie Peirce, a District Manager in LCBO’s South Central Region. “Witnessing the dedication of the staff and hearing about the resilience of the children reminded us of the vital role donations play in bringing hope and healing.”

The LCBO team also toured the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which serves approximately 1,500 babies and their families every year and features an integrated high-risk maternal health program. The care teams here are passionately dedicated to these patients, providing round-the-clock monitoring and care.

“I have the opportunity to see the positive impact of these donations every single day,” says Becky Thomas, Clinical Manager, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic and RSV Clinic. “It means so much to our staff to know we are supported by LCBO and its customers.”

“I would like to thank everyone at McMaster Children’s Hospital for the incredible work that you do and our retail teams and customers for making donations like this possible every year,” George says. “We’re excited to kick off another fundraising campaign for children’s charity.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, customers can donate $10, $5, or $2 at LCBO checkouts to support Ontario's children's hospitals: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Children's Health Foundation, McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation, SickKids, and Campfire Circle. These donations will help provide vital care and support to children and families in need.