Full Circle Project enriching lives in 2022

2022 has been an exciting year so far for GFL Environmental’s (GFL) Full Circle Project (FCP).

Through FCP, GFL takes pride in engaging with and building lasting partnerships with local charities that serve the communities GFL operates in as part of the company’s long-term commitment to giving back.

As of August, GFL has donated over CA$1.8M since the start of 2022 to FCP projects through 88 GFL branches in eight Canadian provinces and 18 US states. GFL has supported 128 new and ongoing projects that span the seven FCP charity classes – Animal Welfare, Cancer and Medical Wellness, Nature Conservation, Poverty Reduction, First Responders and Veterans, Family Wellness, and Arts, Culture and Education.

The program has already exceeded the total donation amount pledged in 2021, with additional funds still available for new projects in the remainder of this year.

GFL thanks all our branches and employees who have participated in FCP so far this year by nominating their charity partner and volunteering their time to give back to their communities.

As pandemic restrictions have eased, GFL employees have been able to re-establish in-person volunteer opportunities with their charity partners to make a difference in local communities across Canada and the United States.

Below is a summary of some of the projects FCP has supported so far this year.

Animal Welfare
The charities supported in this class work to protect and improve the lives of animals in need.

Nova Scotia SPCA
GFL branch: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Through FCP, GFL donated CA$10,000 to the Nova Scotia SPCA, a no-kill animal shelter which helps nearly 15,000 pets annually through animal rescue, progressive programs and rehoming opportunities. GFL’s Halifax team was inspired to volunteer their time walking dogs, cuddling cats, cleaning crates and helping around the shelter any way they could.

Calgary Humane Society
GFL branch: Calgary, Alberta
GFL made a CA$10,000 donation through FCP to the Calgary Humane Society towards sponsorship of the dog kennel, part of the Building Improvement Enhancement Project, and to general expenses at the shelter. As a Community Champion partner, FCP sponsored 25 tickets for local families to attend Hound n’ Sound, the CHS’s 100th birthday celebration.

Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS)
GFL branch: Ocala, Florida
EARS provides a natural habitat, healthy nutrition and health care for rescued animals to thrive in a stress-free environment for the rest of their lives. EARS received a US$9,000 donation towards the fence post upgrade compliance project and GFL’s Ocala team set 60 new fence posts in the ground, painted a new bathroom facility and completed the landscape work.

Cancer and Medical Wellness
This class supports organizations that conduct research into cures, develop technologies and work to enhance the lives of children and adults who live with chronic health issues.

Ride for SickKids
GFL branch: Bowmanville, Ontario
GFL employee Adam Yarema’s daughter Arianna served as the ambassador for the Ride for SickKids, held on August 7 to raise funds for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Through FCP, GFL made a CA$5,000 donation to support the event.

“This donation was very important to my family because, in my opinion, this donation went to the most important building in Canada,” Adam said. “The Hospital for Sick Children has saved our daughter Arianna’s life five times. She has had five open heart surgeries and has still more to go. They perform life-saving surgeries every day on children so that they can live normal lives and just be kids.”

Westman Dreams for Kids
GFL branch: Brandon, Manitoba
Westman Dreams for Kids helps families whose children have a serious illness or disability by supporting kids’ dreams, from providing computer systems to meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. They also provide custom mobility accessories or assist with travel, meals and accommodations when children must travel for treatment. Westman received a CA$5,000 donation, and GFL’s Brandon team will volunteer at their fundraiser.

ALS Society of British Columbia
GFL branch: Delta, British Columbia
GFL made a $10,000 donation to the ALS Society of British Columbia, who provide support to ALS patients to ensure they have the best quality of life possible along with their families and caregivers. Through funding research, ALSSBC is committed to finding the cause of and cure for ALS. GFL’s Delta team participated as Team GFL in the Surrey Move to Cure ALS walk that encouraged participants to walk, run or roll.

Nature Conservation
Through this class, FCP supports charities that benefit our planet by conserving our natural and ecological environment.

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
GFL branch: Vaughan, Ontario
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre works to protect and conserve the province of Ontario’s native turtles and their habitat through rescue, rehabilitation, research and educational outreach. A CA$5,000 donation will help save and care for injured turtles. GFL employees from Vaughan attended and volunteered at the release of rehabilitated turtles.

Turnip Green Creative Reuse
GFL branch: Nashville, Tennessee
Diverting materials from the landfill and connecting them with the people who need them, such as teachers, artists and students, in a welcoming, inclusive space, is the mission of Turnip Green Creative Reuse in Nashville. A US$10,000 donation will benefit the group’s capital campaign to raise funds for a new, permanent building. The GFL Nashville team is volunteering in their community garden and reuse center.

Squamish Streamkeepers Society
GFL branch: Squamish, British Columbia
The Squamish Streamkeepers Society works with the Squamish Nation, the largest Indigenous group in this area, and the Howe Sound/ Átl'ka7tsem Marine Stewardship Initiative to maintain the health of waterways in the Howe Sound area of Vancouver, British Columbia. A CA$5,000 donation will help fund an initiative to survey, monitor and document the herring presence in Howe Sound and be used for boat maintenance, microscopes and other supplies to ensure the safety of volunteers. The local Squamish GFL team will be coordinating opportunities for employees to ride along on the herring expeditions to lend assistance as required and learn about the process.

Poverty Reduction
This class supports food banks and other charities that are working to provide housing, food, job assistance and other services to improve people’s basic standard of living.

Bennett Community Food Bank
GFL branch: Denver, Colorado
The Bennett Community Food Bank provides food assistance to over 400 individuals (100 families) in the town of Bennett and its surrounding communities. GFL made a US$5,000 FCP donation to the food bank, and GFL’s Denver team coordinated a collection of items that the food bank needs.

Abigail’s Place
GFL branch: Houston, Texas
Abigail’s Place provides hope, healing, housing and job placement assistance for single mothers in Fort Bend County, Texas, who are facing homelessness due to circumstances beyond their control, such as the loss of a job, an illness or fleeing domestic violence. The charity received a US$5,000 donation and the Houston GFL team attended and supported the Puttin' on the Glitz Gala.

Cultivate Kansas City
GFL branch: Harrisonville, Missouri
Cultivate Kansas City provides enhanced food access for vulnerable populations, operates an urban farmer development program and trains refugees with agricultural experience to become independent farmers through the New Roots for Refugees program. Along with a US$5,000 donation, GFL’s Harrisonville team will volunteer at the Westport Commons Farm.

First Responders and Veterans
Through this class, FCP is proud to support organizations that assist first responders and veterans, to help give back to those who selflessly serve our countries.

Homes and Hope for Kentucky/ Mayfield Rotary Foundation

GFL branch: Mayfield, Kentucky
In December 2021, a tornado leveled a large part of Mayfield, affecting three areas where GFL operates. GFL’s Mayfield team wanted to help their neighbors rebuild. Homes and Hope for Kentucky, operating under the Mayfield Rotary Foundation, is assisting with the repair and cleanup of damaged homes, and they plan to rebuild 100 homes for families. GFL donated US$10,000 through FCP to assist with this work.

Red Deer Safety City Society
GFL branch: Red Deer, Alberta
The Red Deer Safety City Society provides children in the Red Deer community with a strong foundation of injury-prevention skills for a safe, healthy life, including programs in pedestrian safety, fire and home safety, and bicycle safety. GFL made a CA$5,000 FCP donation and the GFL Red Deer team will volunteer at future safety events.

Vets on Track Foundation
GFL branch: Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Vets on Track Foundation, located in Chesterfield, Virginia, works to help ensure that every veteran and first responder who transitions into permanent housing from homelessness has the necessary furniture and household accessories to transform their new house into a home. GFL’s US$2,500 FCP donation will help support the Foundation’s mission.

Family Wellness
Donations made in this class help families with children in need to build a happier, healthier future.

Gignoo Transition House
GFL branch: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Gignoo Transition House provides support to First Nations women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. A CA$10,000 donation helped purchase a washer and dryer for the shelter. GFL’s Fredericton team will also participate in a food and clothing drive and a golf tournament fundraiser.

Platypus Adventures
GFL branch: Piedmont, South Carolina
Platypus Adventures create adaptive opportunities for individuals with disabilities and provides activities and adventures for children/ youth with special needs. GFL’s Piedmont branch was passionate about this charity because some of the employees there have children with special needs. Platypus received a US$5,000 FCP donation in support of the Tri My Best Triathlon, and GFL’s Piedmont team acted as buddies and buddy assistants to the triathlon participants.

La Maison du Réconfort
GFL branch: Montreal, Quebec
La Maison du Réconfort in Montreal, Quebec, offers free, safe, confidential and professional support and shelter to women, with or without children, who are dealing with domestic violence. A CA$5,000 donation will go towards building a library for children who are staying at the shelter.

Arts, Culture and Education
This class invests in enriching local arts and culture, as well as supporting programs and scholarships that create better educational opportunities for young people.

Friends of the Morristown-Hamblen Public Library Foundation
GFL branch: Morristown, Tennessee
Friends of the Morristown-Hamblen Public Library Foundationin Morristown helps support life-long learning opportunities, access to Internet resources, and materials for viewing, reading and listening for all ages. Through FCP, GFL donated US$5,000 that will help provide free books each month to children from birth to six years old.

North Carolina Symphony Foundation
GFL branch: Raleigh, North Carolina
The North Carolina Symphony Foundation helps bring music programs to more than 70,000 elementary and middle school students, teachers and parents statewide, many of whom would not otherwise be exposed to the arts. GFL made a US$5,000 FCP donation to support the Foundation’s programs, and GFL Raleigh team members attended the Friends of Note fundraiser.

Louis Bull Tribe
GFL branch: Alberta Liquids
The Louis Bull Tribe is a Cree Nation in Alberta that GFL is proud to partner with. GFL made a CA$10,000 FCP donation to the community’s Lands for Prosperity Program which provides a combination of learning and work experiences that are designed to connect youth to the land while providing knowledge around Treaty, Constitutional Rights and land stewardship. The donation provided the youth of the community with a safe, fun-filled summer experience, including bussing, healthy lunches and safety equipment. The donation will also go towards ball diamond upgrades.

“Lands for Prosperity Program and ball diamond upgrades for community gatherings are very important to connect the youth of Louis Bull Tribe to the land and achieve the vision of a safe, healthy, prosperous and thriving Cree Nation,” said Blair Dueck, GFL’s senior account manager for Oil and Gas. “As a partner of Louis Bull Tribe, we are honored to work with the Tribe for community spirit and land stewardship.”

Would you like to help direct where FCP donations go? If you’re a GFL customer, you can participate in FCP free of charge by voting for your preferred charity class. Learn more and get involved at the Full Circle Project.

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