Ms. Christine Marchildon reports

TD OPENS A BRANCH IN LES GALERIES NORMANDIE AND DONATES $5,000 TO PROMOTE URBAN AGRICULTURE

A new Toronto-Dominion Bank branch was inaugurated on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Les Galeries Normandie in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville. At the event, TD executives donated $5,000 to the Armenian Community Centre of Montreal to finance the creation of an organic vegetable garden and a tree-planting project on behalf of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

"With the opening of this new branch, we have strong momentum and continue to grow in Quebec," said Christine Marchildon, TD Bank Group's senior vice-president, branch banking, and chair, Quebec market. "Promoting diversity and protecting the environment are among our core values. We would like to thank the Armenian Community Centre of Montreal for their passion and commitment to this project, which will have a positive impact on the entire community."

At your service 67 hours a week!

The new branch has 4,000 square feet of space and is staffed by 13 employees. It will provide both personal and small-business banking services. In addition, a conference room within the branch will be made available to local business people and organizations. Located at 2828 Salaberry St. in Les Galeries Normandie, this new branch will be open seven days a week for a total of 67 hours.

"Being tuned in to our community, providing a comfortable banking experience and flexible business hours -- that's our calling card," said Rita Bartevian, branch manager. "The flurry of cultural activity and vitality of its residents set Ahunstic-Cartierville apart. Over one in three inhabitants was born abroad: what a beautiful showcase for cultural diversity!" added Ms. Bartevian.

A project that unifies the community

As is the tradition when opening its new branches, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation made a donation in support of a local organization's project. In this instance, the Armenian Community Centre of Montreal received $5,000 to create an organic vegetable garden and a tree-planting project.

Members of the seniors' association will lead the garden project in an effort to involve local children in a unifying and intergenerational activity. In fact, this project will feature a dietitian, who will teach children the basic principles of healthy eating, while a chef will create delicious meals for them using the garden's vegetables. The tree-planting project will take place at the Armenian Community Centre of Montreal complex near Highway 15.

"We are very grateful to TD Bank Group for allowing us develop these projects, which are extremely important for community members of all ages," says Maral Tersakian, a board member of the Armenian Community Centre of Montreal.