King entrepreneurs focus charity efforts where they do the most good

June 1, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
Successful entrepreneurs know the value of their human resources. They also know exactly where to direct their efforts so they can do the most good.
King’s Gerald McCann is focused on success – the success of young people who need assistance and direction.
McCann’s philosophy is simple – it’s hard to make money these days as a business person. To McCann, supporting a charity came naturally but as he puts it, “to financially support any charity the money has to go to those who are in it for the right reasons, and it has to get to where it needs to be.”
Helping youngsters who are at risk or lack certain essential services is where their company, Cynergy Mechanical Ltd. in Etobicoke, directs its compassionate energy. Thankfully, the Cynergy team has changed lives. There’s an air of passionate giving that permeates Cynergy, whose employees are always willing to step up to the plate.
In the past five years they’ve ramped up their charitable giving and Cynergy has contributed more than $250,000 to various causes and programs. McCann isn’t a pushover – he looks into each organization so he’s confident the money gets into the right hands. That just makes good business sense.
Cynergy supports the great work done by ProAction Cops & Kids, founded in 1991 by John Bitove Sr. The idea is that communities benefit from youth and police officers having better relationships of mutual understanding and respect. ProAction has funded programs for youth in Toronto, Durham, Hamilton and Niagara, to build better communities. Police officers are at the heart of each and every program, that is tailor-made to the community and youth they serve. Activities include a wide range of sports, arts, leadership and life skills.
McCann said these programs inspired him and he’s become a regular corporate sponsor. The programs work and changes kids’ lives with demonstrable results.
Helping kids is in his blood and McCann is a hockey volunteer locally in Nobleton.
While he receives a lot of praise for his philanthropy, he’s quick to point out it’s a team effort. It’s not just about financial support; he gives his staff time to assist charities. “It’s what we’re all about,” he said.
McCann and his staff paid a visit to Toronto’s ISAND (Integrated Services for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders). There are “holes in the system” that leave families out in the cold when it comes to supportive autism programs. Children are on long waiting lists and the costs of these programs can easily reach $45,000 per year, leaving families strapped, or worse.
ISAND is a coalition of highly trained and experienced professionals dedicated to offering comprehensive, coordinated, innovative and evidence-based approaches to treating and managing Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
The ISAND team of medical, psycho-social, educational and vocational experts is committed to a model of integrated service delivery, as an alternative to the costly, fragmented, ad hoc system that leaves individuals and family members searching for professionals and programs and facing untenable wait lists and sequential gaps in services over time.
ISAND brings together 38 specialists who volunteer their time in a vast array of programs. They’re on the cutting edge, offering services for young children, up to 25 years of age.
“There’s nothing like ISAND anywhere,” he said. “Their programs are unique.”
McCann stressed the need is crucial, at an early age. “If we don’t help them, what will happen when they hit 25?” he asked.
He pushes his sons and his staff to do their very best, just as his mother taught him. He appreciates the effort of those who do their very best at ISAND.
Early intervention and treatment for autism is so crucial and ISAND is able to provide needs based integrated solutions that are lacking currently in traditional government programs.
McCann and his team are community driven and their goal is to increase awareness. He invites everyone to jump on the bandwagon and visit the Cynergy Mechanical Ltd. website or Facebook pages to learn more and pitch in.
The company’s website puts charity front and centre, noting they also help Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the MS Walk and Push for Your Tush.
McCann is receptive to helping worthy causes, and when an employee told him his newborn was diagnosed with CF, there was no hesitation on Cynergy’s part. The team rallied and it’s now part of their charity work.
McCann built Cynergy from the ground up and now, after almost 22 years in business, it has grown to 60 employees. They offer commercial HVAC services and cater to high rises, retail establishments and institutions. They have a long list of loyal customers.
McCann has worked hard to earn their trust. And his passion to help young people extends to the Cynergy Mechanical scholarship program to cover employees’ costs of advance licensing. It’s all in an effort to “realize our goal of growing the business by leveraging the best and brightest minds and providing a work environment that rewards hard work with more opportunities.”
Cynergy is also involved with local colleges, like George Brown College of Trades, which provides the first-hand realities of the business world to students.
For more visit, cynergymechanical.ca where you can “Like” the page and get regular updates on these important charities. It’s all about connecting our communities to drive meaningful contributions to charities that make a difference. This will make a better future for our local towns like King, and for Canada overall.
Find out more information on charities Cynergy supports at isand.ca, copsandkids.ca and cysticfibrosis.ca