RBC Celebrates Community Week from June 10 – 14, 2013

Community members are invited to stop by RBC Royal Bank banking centres during the week of June 10 to cast their vote for their favourite charity. The first place charity will receive a donation of $2,500, the second place will receive $1,000, and the third place will receive $500. Ballots will be available in branches from June 10 – 14, and the winner will be announced on Friday, June 14.

“Giving back to the community is important to us at RBC,” said Ms. Tracie Lee-Wah, Area Vice President, RBC Cayman. “During Community Week we take time to celebrate our partnership with our clients and neighbours in helping to make the Cayman Islands a great place to live and work. We encourage people to stop by and cast their ballot for their favourite organisation.” For 2013, RBC selected the following three charities to feature:

•          Department of Children & Family Services – The Department of Children & Family Services exists to encourage and promote self-sufficiency and to advocate, motivate and educate individuals and families, empowering them to realise their full potential. The Department of Children & Family Services achieves these goals through the provision of therapeutic services and community-based programmes, enhanced by ongoing research and in partnership with key stakeholders.

•          Meals On Wheels – Serving Grand Cayman for more than 10 years, Meals On Wheels produces and delivers nutritionally balanced hot meals and smiles to home bound, frail, elderly persons and those with physical and mental disabilities. Meals On Wheels in Cayman began as a simple act of Christian kindness by Martha McField, an elderly widow. Not satisfied with Sunday visits to her elderly friends and neighbours, she began cooking and delivering meals before going to church. Her work was later picked up by Rehoboth Ministries and the Government in 1997. Later that same year, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman joined in the effort. Together they have worked tirelessly to continue the vision of Christian charity begun by Martha McField.

•          Cayman Islands Diabetes – The Cayman Islands Diabetes Association (CIDA) works toward a future without diabetes by creating awareness, providing education to the community; while improving the lives of diabetics and their families. CIDA is the official Cayman Islands member of The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an organisation of more than 200 member associations in 165 countries. CIDA takes part in celebrating World Diabetes Day each year on November 14 and also participates in the “Blue Lighting Monument Challenge” where different landmarks and buildings are lit blue to create diabetes awareness.

Community Invited to See Water Conservation Displays in RBC Branches

From June 10 – 14, RBC will also display educational panels about water conservation in all of its banking centres in celebration of RBC’s Blue Water Project. The panels teach about water ecosystems and how to be wise with water. “There are many things we can each do to conserve this precious commodity,” added Ms. Lee-Wah. “We encourage community members to stop by and learn what they can do to join in the effort to preserve our fresh water resources.”

On June 14, RBC will also be presenting a $1,000 grant to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. The money will be used for the upkeep of the fresh-water pond at the back of the Mission House. The Mission House historic site is situated near a wetland, which is frequented by a variety of local wildlife. This site is known to have been utilised by early settlers for its abundant waterfowl and supply of water in the 1700s. It rose to prominence in the 1800s and became known as the “Mission House” to early missionaries, teachers and families who lived and contributed to establishing the Presbyterian ministry and school in Bodden Town.

“RBC is pleased to contribute to the preservation of the wetlands surrounding this important site,” said Ms. Lee-Wah.

About RBC in the Caribbean

With more than 100 years of heritage serving the region, RBC operates under the banner of RBC and RBTT with a presence in 20 countries, 122 combined branches and close to 6,600 employees serving more than one million clients. As one of the Caribbean’s leading diversified financial services companies, RBC provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, insurance and trust and asset management services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations and governments. For more information, please visit rbc.com/caribbean

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and are among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and investor services on a global basis. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com