Energize, Inspire, Create
Energizing good ideas and inspiring others is an apt description of Siskinds’ approach to community service. While Siskinds lawyers and staff volunteer, sponsor, participate and serve on the boards of amazing causes, we’re also proud of what we create. Following are some examples of our events and projects.
Jordan’s Run-The-Runway – September 20, 2024
This year, Jordan’s Run-the-Runway is taking off from a new location at Fanshawe College Aviation Centre. Inspired by the memory of Siskinds Partner Paul Strickland’s son Jordan, this annual 5-km race supports the YMCA’s Camp Queen Elizabeth. Since its launch in 2014, this event has grown every year. Over the last ten years, we have raised over $1,109,000 to support sending kids to YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth.
KickAbout Soccer Tournament – May 4, 2024
The tournament was founded in 2016 and hosted by Siskinds partner Maciek Piekosz and a committee of his professional peers. In 2023, over 300 players, volunteers and spectators enjoyed a well-organized day that ran smoothly from the opening breakfast through rounds of play, cross-bar challenges, purchased (and deserved) penalty kicks, and the trophy presentation. Each year, proceeds raised go to support a local non-profit organization. Previous organizations include Sunshine Foundation, Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre, Possibilities Project, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, Children’s Health Foundation.
We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting the tournament on May 4, 2024 at the BMO Centre, with proceeds going towards The Possibilities Project.
Brain it On!: Cognitive Corporate Challenge – September 26, 2024
A fun, fast-paced event, where teams compete in bowling, laser tag, cognitive challenges, and more to become Brain It On!: Cognitive Corporate Challenge Champions. Since 2019, proceeds from this event has raised over $100,000 for the Siskinds Acquired Brain Injury Innovation Fund at St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, supporting the investment and development of new treatments and therapies (listed below) for those living with acquired brain injuries.
Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, and participants for your continued support and for helping make this event a success.
- 2019 – MyBrainPacer App
- 2022 – Senaptec Sensory Station
- 2023–2024 – FLOAT VR Module
Lawyer Leadership Challenge – United Way London & Middlesex
Over several years, Siskinds has invested over $800,000 in the work of United Way London & Middlesex. Siskinds joins nine other local law firms in the Lawyer Leadership Challenge. These firms combine their efforts in the common goal of bringing significant change to the lives of children, families and individuals in London & Middlesex.
In 2023, Siskinds received recognition for our commitment, earning the Total Dollars Raised Award and proudly accepting the Total Special Event Dollars Raised Award.
Euchre Tournament
Founded by Siskinds and colleagues in the rehabilitative care industry, the annual Euchre Tournament has successfully raised funds for St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation year after year. This event sells-out as players vie for the title in a series of games in a format called Progressive Euchre. As players move to different tables through the course of playing, this event raises funds and provides an excellent opportunity to see friends and meet new ones.
Golf Play Day: Over a decade of extraordinary success
Created by Siskinds lawyers, this unique nine-hole golf tournament was designed specifically for non-golfers. No special attire or skills are required! Golfers and non-golfers enjoy the relaxed atmosphere on the course as it’s an all-fun-all-day approach to the game of golf.
Thank-you to all the sponsors and participants for being a part of the journey that resulted in raising $781,494 and led to the purchase of valued medical equipment, listed below. This equipment has impacted the lives of countless patients at Children’s Hospital and will continue to impact lives for many years to come.
Golf Play Day sponsors and participants have helped Children’s Health Foundation purchase top priority pieces of patient equipment.
- 2009 – Hill-Rom Bed and Three Specialized Wheel Chairs
- 2010 – PCCU Difficult Airway Cart
- 2011 – Ultrasound Machine for Paediatric Emergency
- 2012 – Sensory Room (SMILE room)
- 2013 – Two EEG Machines
- 2014 – Simulation Training Mannequin
- 2015 – Car Seat Challenge
- 2016 – PCCU Waiting and Quiet Room Renovations
- 2017 – PCCU Waiting and Quiet Room Renovations
- 2018 – Biplane System
- 2019 – Biplane System
Camp Dawn Wine Tasting
Lawyers from Siskinds and peers in the legal industry created this annual event that raises funds for Camp Dawn, a 4-day camping retreat for adult survivors of an acquired brain injury. Camp Dawn provides an opportunity for people to get away from regular routines, make new friends, meet-up with old friends, try new activities and enjoy familiar activities, and do all of this in a supportive, outdoor environment alongside other people who are facing similar challenges. Camp is held in September at Rainbow Lake in Waterford, Ontario.
Bubbles & Baubles
Siskinds worked with the Children’s Health Foundation to establish this annual night-out that combines champagne and jewellery to generate additional support for the foundation. Local artisans display their creations while friends and colleagues enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere as well as the opportunity to purchase unique items.
Skate to Great – May 2018
Skate to Great is a non-profit organization that collects new and used ice skates, helmets and hockey sticks and donates them to those in need. In May 2018, Siskinds hosted the first-ever Skate to Great drive in London. The items collected were donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area as well as other organizations across the country. Families in need of these items will put them to good use. For more information, visit skatetogreat.org.
Airshow London – September 2016, 2017
The greater London area was excited to hear that an air show was returning to London with Airshow London in 2016. Airshow London is a not-for-profit organization that relies on the collaboration of businesses, leaders in education and public sectors and the board to make it happen. As an avid aviation enthusiast and community supporter, Siskinds partner, Christopher Collins, joined the board of directors for the event. Chris also became involved as an individual sponsor and host of many guests at the Siskinds tent over the 3-day event. Airshow London is focused on showcasing London and area’s aviation, aerospace and defence industry sectors and education opportunities as well as the amazing entertainment value the show itself. It is also dedicated to providing support to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Veteran’s charities, and Fanshawe College’s Aviation students.
Pollination Garden for Bees – June 2016
A team effort was truly seen as Siskinds worked with the London Community Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment and Courtland Professional Property Management to create a pollination garden in support of the program, Garden-4-Bees. Each of these parties made a contribution of products, labour or financing to create this garden that will support the regeneration of the bee population of southwestern Ontario. The program, Garden-4-Bees, was initiated through the Julia Hunter Memorial Fund, a fund that was created by Murray Hunter in memory of his daughter and is managed by the London Community Foundation. The garden officially opened on June 25, 2016. The London Free Press covered the creation of this garden.
Siskinds Playground – 2009
After an act of vandalism at the community playground on Piccadilly Street destroyed the equipment, Siskinds was instrumental in raising the funds necessary to rebuild the park. Working with other local businesses, the park was completely restored and new and better equipment installed. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen the park turned an unfortunate event into a neighbourhood celebratory BBQ.