How our Equipment Finance team is giving back to the community each quarter
As a Purpose-driven organization, our teams show their dedication to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life daily through their commitment to our clients and the communities in which we work and live.
BMO Commercial Bank’s Equipment Finance team asked for more ways to give back and get active in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin community. Leadership took this feedback and, after working with the team and a bit of community outreach, the first Equipment Finance volunteer day was held in December 2022.
Now, it’s a tradition the team, along with team members from DIG, Wealth and Retail, carry on quarterly to partner with different organizations in the community, including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Ronald McDonald House Eastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.
“These events really call out both the ‘business and life’ aspects of our Purpose, and they create a sense of community both internally and externally. Our teams are giving back to the communities where we live, work and conduct business with customers. It brings everything full circle.”
– Jon Biorkman
Head, Equipment Finance
For the month of February, Equipment Finance again took feedback from the team and held its first virtual volunteer event to expand the reach across the entire U.S. and Canada. On February 27 and 28, BMO volunteers participated in resume reviews and mock interviews for Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, a non-selective public charter school with just under 2,000 students.
The Ronald McDonald House Eastern Wisconsin volunteers made lunches for patient families, performed groundskeeping duties and cleaned common rooms:
At Ronald McDonald House volunteers organized and assembled packages to be delivered to local food pantries:
And, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center volunteers assisted and escorted inpatient veterans from their hospital rooms to the Veterans Day ceremony, served lunch and assembled and distributed gift bags:
Event attendee testimonials
“I was able to participate in two separate events held at the VA center. This was my first time there. I was truly touched, and a few times choked back tears as I had no idea of how many veterans were there, what they have been through, what assistance they need, etc. For the short time I was there interacting with these individuals and seeing them smile or just chat a bit was such a fulfilling and major humbling experience for me.“
– Bonnie J.
Senior Commercial Client Service Manager
“The EF quarterly volunteer events have been a great opportunity to connect with organizations in our communities and learn about their work. And completing tasks important to the organization and working directly with individuals, has been a meaningful experience and I have been encouraged that the EF team is doing something for the good of our community. It brings me great joy to bring smiles to the faces of those we are serving and I value the opportunity to connect with colleagues I don’t work with on a day-to-day basis!”
– Kirsten K.
Portfolio Manager, Credit
“The EF volunteering events have given me the opportunity to work with organizations I was aware of but did not have much background on. Lending a hand while getting to know more about these organizations and the critical services they provide to our diverse community has been both eye opening and very rewarding. I look forward to future EF volunteering events with additional organizations which makes our community a better place to work and live.”
– James H.
Director, Credit
