When the world was beginning to process the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom Rose, President of Atlantic Business Interiors, knew he had to do something. The Maritime community is tightly knit, and he couldn’t sit idly by while so many who were already vulnerable and precariously employed were soon to be on the edge of poverty.
In normal times, Atlantic Business Interiors provides office furniture, equipment, and workplace solutions across New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and PEI. But with lockdowns in effect, people working from home, and the Maritimes entering a bubble, Rose leveraged his expertise on how people work to anticipate the needs of individuals, teams and organizations. He also understood that meaningful help would take teamwork and the whole community coming together.
Like so many others, my mind and heart have been racing, thinking about what I can do to help.”
– Tom Rose, President of Atlantic Business Interiors
Rose moved quickly to start the Atlantic Compassion Fund. He was joined by eleven United Way locations from across the Maritimes. As part of the collective, Atlantic Business Interiors donated about $100,000 in office furniture to support the community and non-profit sector in their ability to work remotely. In addition, Rose matched dollar for dollar the first $100,000 of contributions made by individuals and businesses across the Atlantic Region.
The Compassion Fund is an example of someone stepping forward and taking real action.”
– Mike Savage, Halifax Mayor
The fund supported those who were most impacted by the pandemic, providing access to food, medicine, transportation, and mental health support to the most marginalized communities, outreach to seniors, and services and supplies for community facilities and shelters. Even when this period of social distancing comes to an end, the Atlantic Compassion Fund may support programming or initiatives that will help bring Atlantic communities back together.
18,542 people received the food, medication, and safety supplies they needed. 9,074 people received mental health support. 8,417 people received access to technology and virtual resources.
In recognition of the great contributions of Atlantic Business Interiors, and to mark the launch of Interac e-Transfer† for Business, Scotiabank has made a $5,000 donation in Atlantic Business Interiors’ name to United Way Halifax.
Interac e-Transfer for Business is a convenient way to receive funds, allowing businesses to have access to funds in real time. Find out more.