NL

CIBC donates $100K to The Rooms Where Once They Stood We Stand campaign

The Rooms Where Once They Stood We Stand capital campaign has reached $11.1 million in donations after CIBC contributed $100,000 Tuesday afternoon.
CIBC helps bring The Rooms closer to their goal of $15 million for the Where Once They Stood We Stand campaign.

The Rooms Where Once They Stood We Stand capital campaign has reached $11.1 million in donations after CIBC contributed $100,000 Tuesday afternoon.

Sylvain Vinet, CIBC's senior vice president of retail markets for eastern Canada, presented Tom Foran, chair of The Rooms Corporation, and Dean Brinton, CEO of The Rooms Corporation, with the donation bringing the campaign closer to its goal of $15 million.

The Rooms has organized the country's largest project for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

When asked why CIBC wanted to make the donation, Vinet said "It's part of our history."

"It's part of the history of Newfoundland, and we want to be a part of it and recognize all the sacrifices of the people of Newfoundland in the First World War."

On July 1, the anniversary will be marked with the dedication of the Fortis Courtyard and Amphitheatre at The Rooms, as well as the opening of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery by HRH The Princess Royal.

"We are less than a month away from commemorating the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel and honouring all those who served on the home front and overseas," Foran said in a statement Tuesday.

"The Rooms is delighted that CIBC has joined our very special team of donors who have helped turn our legacy project into a reality."

Sylvain Vinet, CIBC's senior vice president of retail markets for eastern Canada, signs the cheque donation for The Rooms. (Gary Locke/CBC)