Jeff Penman, an executive with the Financial Services Group at IBM Canada Ltd, decided in early 2012 that he wanted to get involved in philanthropy. Like most, Jeff wanted to get involved with a charity that resonated with him in a personal way.
Jeff Penman, an executive with the Financial Services Group at IBM Canada Ltd, decided in early 2012 that he wanted to get involved in philanthropy. Like most, Jeff wanted to get involved with a charity that resonated with him in a personal way. His intimate relationship with the disease led him to reach out to Executive Director, Sue Robson and Jeff began volunteering on the golf tournament committee (2012 and 2013).
Slowly his aspirations for getting more involved grew and when it came time for IBM Canada’s annual, Employee Charity Fund, his fellow colleagues rallied around fundraising for Lymphoma Canada.
Every January, the different business groups at IBM Canada Ltd, pick a charity and begin fundraising internally. Over a three week period, the various departments host events and programs, to help raise funds for the charity of their choosing.
Led by Jeff, the Financial Services Group hosted two office events to help raise funds for Lymphoma Canada; a Blackberry tune-up and a chili drive.
For $10, IBM staff could get their Blackberry’s tuned-up. The tune-up included software upgrades, initializing hidden or new features and minor repairs. A staff member lent their time to service the Blackberry’s and this proved to be very popular – company wide.
Mmm Chili! Over one lunch period, IBM staff could purchase a chili lunch, a bottle of water and a bun. Jeff’s group supplied different kinds of homemade chili’s giving staff a host of options to choose from and on a cold winter’s day, what could be better than chili?!
Through their creative efforts, Jeff and his group raised over $2,000 for Lymphoma Canada. Without the support of Jeff and his team at IBM Canada Ltd, Lymphoma Canada would not be able to continue to provide advocacy, education and support to those affected by Lymphoma.
From all of us at Lymphoma Canada, thank you for your support and Jeff, thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Jeff Penman was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2011 and is in currently in remission.
