Scotiabank's Branching Out Program

Snapwoodbridge.com and Snapvaughaneast.com
May 2014

Roughly one year ago, local financial advisor Jason Polsinelli noticed during one of his drives through Vaughan that something just didn’t seem right. More specifically, the city’s trees and the overall landscape just didn’t seem healthy. With the help of his Scotiabank colleagues here in this community, as well as with full support from Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, the seeds were planted to launch the Scotiabank Branching Out Program in Vaughan.

“Scotiabank has been very active across the country getting involved with Earth Day events, but we believe in the City of Vaughan that we have helped create a unique program to deal with the problems that have risen with the emerald ash borer and the recent ice storm,” explained Jason.

The Branching Out Program’s inaugural year was nothing short of a huge success – surprising even what was considered wild expectations by organizers. With over $20,000 in funds raised through the generosity of corporate and residential owners, as well as a generous donation from Geoscape Contracting (who provided approximately $5,000 worth of trees), Branching Out hit the ground running in its first year. “We didn’t expect the amount that was forthcoming. We reached a stated goal, one I didn’t think we would reach… to be totally honest, I expected no more than $10,000 combined,” gushed Polsinelli.

There were two planting events in Vaughan, one at Tudor Park in Maple and the other at Chancellor Park in Woodbridge. Each represented the unique issues that organizers set out to tackle. Chancellor Park saw volunteers, including a group of students from St. Gabriel, take on the task of planting 18 boulevard trees that have already done wonders for the park’s landscape. This program was organized in conjunction with the City of Vaughan's Be-Leaf Program. Tudor Park gave a host of volunteers the chance to plant boulevard trees as well as plant roughly 400 whips (little, thin trees) in the area surrounding one of the baseball diamonds.

While corporate sponsorship was beneficial in providing funds and even food for volunteers, it was groups like the team from Richview Manor who got their hands, as well as their clothes and shoes, dirty for this great cause. This endeavour proved that it takes great citizens who take the initiative to build a great community. And, what made this day so monumental was the announcement that Scotiabank would be taking on an increased environmental stewardship role in the community.

The events on Earth Day, April 22nd, would serve as the start of something great, rather than just the culmination of almost a year of planning. The Branching Out Program is here to stay and, judging by the support given by corporate partners and the nearly 100 volunteers who helped make the entire plan a reality, the program will continue to thrive in the years to come.