SKYVIEW GIVING

Since the onset of COVID-19, and with the world changing so quickly around us, it was important for the Skyview Group of Companies to support local communities during a difficult time for so many. As an essential business, we were fortunate enough to remain open as we navigated through the 2020 altering pandemic. But we also understood that a lot of businesses and industries were not as fortunate as ours.

GIVING BACK

In August 2020, Danny Iannuzziello, President of Skyview Group of Companies, committed to giving back through a new initiative called “Skyview Giving”. As a commitment to banding together, Skyview was committed to supporting our Residents and the local community by driving change. “As part of a team effort, I wanted all members of my staff to feel vital and understand their importance in our company. The best way I saw fit to do this, was by giving them the opportunity to pay it forward. As a company, I wanted to instill a new culture and I was proud to work with my staff members to support our local community when they needed it the most to help others thrive in a very uncertain time. In my personal life I try to make it a habit to contribute to the success of small businesses or causes that mean the most to myself and my family. And as a family run business it meant a lot to be able to share this with the people who help make it possible to do what I do daily.”

THE OBJECTIVE

All staff members were given an allocation of dollars and had the option to pay it forward directly to themselves, by supporting an organization or to pay it forward by donating it to a corporation affected by COVID-19. Most team members chose the latter. In total we were able to put back $25,000 into the community in which we work and live!

THE IMPACT

Here are a few highlights of Skyview team members giving back through the “Skyview Giving” program: One team member donated meals to health-care workers at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare in which a family member is a long-term patient. One team member purchased artwork from a local Black Art Business, DeeKaay’s Art, which helped to support a food bank in Scarborough that has seen a spike in demand following the outbreak. One team member bought meals for community members from Matsuda Japanese Cuisine; a restaurant that specializes in Japanese cuisine, who have been struggling to bring in patrons since the beginning of the pandemic. One team member supported a local small business named Ortolana, that specializes in providing Italian inspired grazing platters, boxes and tables. She purchased various grazing platters from the business. One team member donated to Adrianna Prosser who used the funds to host her safeTALK suicide alertness and prevention workshop in October. The money donated was able to subsidize the workshop for 10 people to attend to receive training in identifying those who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and preventative resources. One team member supported employees at the local mall whose business hours had been reduced. One team member gave a donation to young families and also gifted them with pre-paid Tim Hortons Cards. One team member donated to Dr. Morgan, the founder of the Black Health Alliance. The donation supported the advancement to improve the health outcomes and wellbeing of individuals belonging to the Black community. One team member donated to the Elizabeth Fry society which supports women and girls who are in conflict with the law to help advocate and create meaningful change. The Skyview team was able to bring joy and happiness to someone without expecting anything in return. “It was a first experience for me to have the opportunity to give back, and what a feeling it was” said one team member. It was a mutually shared moment in which we all came together for the community and found a new way to support one another. When you pay it forward, you teach the lesson that it can be done and the effects it has for the person on the receiving end. The only expectation is that we repeat the process.