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Cargill Foods Nourishes Life Long Learning Experience
April 29, 2004
WINNIPEG, MB – As part of Loblaw’s “Help
Feed the Minds of Canada’s Children” Campaign,
Cargill Foods will provide $250,000 to help support of the
largest cultural fundraising event in Canadian history.
The Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) Renaissance ROM project
is a $200 million major capital expansion of the ROM and its
galleries, to be completed in two stages of construction between
2005 and 2006. This new vision is vital to the museum's continued
growth, ensuring that the ROM remains a critical part of the
cultural landscape of Toronto and the province of Ontario,
and attracts visitors from around the world.
At the ROM’s recent 90th birthday celebration, the
Hon. Hilary M. Weston, Chair of the Renaissance ROM Campaign,
announced that $150 million has already been raised—75
per cent of the total campaign goal. The ROM’s major
expansion is being supported from both the public and private
sectors, including the Government of Ontario and the Government
of Canada.
Loblaw President, John Lederer, has challenged industry friends
and suppliers including Cargill Foods, to raise five million
dollars for Renaissance ROM. Loblaw spearheaded the $5 million
initiative with a $1 million gift.
“The ROM is recognized internationally for its expression
and sharing of diverse events and culture with all ages,”
said Bill Buckner, Cargill corporate vice president, and Excel
Corporation president. “The Renaissance ROM project
will enhance the museum’s ability to nurture the potential
of today’s youth by fully opening their minds and hearts
to the world’s historic and cultural heritage though
more interactive and memorable experiences.”
Renaissance ROM is a 300,000 square foot transformation that
will revitalize the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and spark a
major cultural renaissance in Toronto. By creating beautiful
new architecture and restoring the museum’s existing
structure to its former glory, Renaissance ROM will increase
the volume of collections on display, expand education and
community programs, upgrade public amenities, advance collections
and research, and-most importantly-engage new audiences by
reasserting the ROM as “the people’s museum.”
“We are grateful for Cargill Foods’ generous
contribution to the Renaissance ROM project,” stated
David Palmer, President & Executive Director of the ROM
Foundation. “Cargill Foods’ donation will help
the ROM to build on its proud educational tradition by expanding
programming and creating a state-of-the-art Learning Centre.”
The ROM collects and exhibits the cultural and natural history
of Canada and the world. The collections and research are
the basis of the ROM’s international reputation; the
collections are diverse in their subject matter and number
more than 5 million objects. The ROM’s research, exhibitions
and educational activities increase understanding of cultural
and natural diversity, their relationships, significance,
preservation, and conservation.
“We view the ROM as a facility of lifelong learning
dedicated to reminding each and everyone of us that the world
is a very special place,” said Peter Tureski, assistant
vice-president, Cargill Foods Toronto.
The ROM is recognized as one of Canada's largest extra-curricular
educators, offering a wide range of diverse educational programming
to more than 5,000 Ontario schools and 170,000 students from
kindergarten to university. For more information about the
Renaissance ROM project, please visit the ROM’s website
at www.rom.on.ca/renaissance.
With locations in Eastern and Western Canada, Cargill Foods,
a division of Cargill, Limited, operates Case Ready plants
in Toronto and Chambly, Quebec, as well as a beef processing
facility in High River, Alberta. Headquartered in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Cargill Limited employs 5,600 people across the
country and has business interests in meat, egg and oilseed
processing, animal feed, salt, fertilizer manufacturing, chocolate,
natural gas, as well as grain handling and merchandising.
Robert Meijer
Director, Public Affairs
Cargill Limited
Telephone: (204) 947-6370
robert_meijer@cargill.com
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