Even before SQM was founded, 21 years ago, both co-founders, David Lipton, and Craig Henry, were actively involved in supporting a variety of charities and charitable causes.
One of their long standing charitable initiatives dates back, over 15 years, when they moved their office into the Don Mills and York Mills area in Toronto. At that time, both co-founders and the SQM staff, teamed up to start a holiday toy drive, by collecting items from neighbouring offices, and distributing them to various organizations.
After six years of donating toys to children, they realized there was a need to help a local teen and women’s shelter, so they began collecting other items, including movie tickets, board games, beauty supplies, and hair products.
In more recent times, SQM has become involved with an organization called Ve’ahavta. They are a Canadian Humanitarian and Relief Organization that is on a mission to reduce the negative impact of poverty on health and to make a difference in local communities. One of Ve’ahavta’s initiatives is the van outreach program called The Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless (MJRH), where they deliver food as well as thousands of new T-shirts, jackets, socks and TTC tokens to the homeless. In addition to collecting food and clothing, staff from SQM, and other local groups volunteer to spend an evening on the van, assisting in distributing items and supporting the homeless in a variety of ways. As David Lipton, said, “this is an eye-opening experience, and you see the city in a different light”.
As a result of their involvement with Ve’ahavta, David learned that one item which is always in need, but often overlooked, is socks. Socks are a valuable and precious part of our every day wardrobe, but supporters often focus their attention on donating warm weather clothes, such as toques, gloves, and coats.
To assist Ve’ahavta in their efforts, like last year, SQM is holding a Holiday Sock Drive.
For those that would like to participate, we ask that you:
1. Send new and unwrapped pairs of socks, to our office
or
2. Send us retail gift cards, which we will use to purchase new pairs of socks
SQM staff will take care of the rest of the work, packing and shipping the items off to a fantastic and hard working charity.
Socks and gift cards can be sent to:
Sensors Quality Management Inc. (SQM)
156 Duncan Mill Road, Unit 19
Toronto, ON M3B 3N2
If you have any questions, or require additional information, please feel free to call us at 416-444-4491.
Together we can make a difference in our community!
