The lawyers and staff at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP recognize the importance of supporting the community that they work, live and play in. Each year TDS contributes over $100,000 to worthwhile community initiatives that support the Arts, the Environment, the advancement of medical care, and the advancement of technology.
This page highlights just some of our community involvement from the past year.
Community Initiatives:
Winnipeg Foundation
TDS is pleased to offer support to the philanthropy & the law symposium. Philanthropy and the Law is a special partnership between the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and The Winnipeg Foundation that began in 2006 as an acknowledgement of the Foundation’s 85th anniversary. The partnership encompasses working together to provide:
- A Faculty of Law course entitled Philanthropy and the Law, taught by TDS partner Jan Lederman;
- A Winnipeg Foundation prize for law students;
- Support for Pro-Bono Manitoba, and
- A philanthropy and the law-themed symposium, to be held every second year
To listen to Jan Lederman’s radio interview on CJOB about the symposium - click here.
The Eureka Project
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP continues to demonstrate its commitment to local entrepreneurs in knowledge- and technology-based businesses. The law firm recently signed on as the newest Corporate Partner of the eureka project: Smartpark’s business incubator.
The eureka project, a high-tech business incubator, located at Smartpark at The University of Manitoba, helps launch technology-based businesses. New ventures seeking the help of incubators are three times more likely to succeed than new companies that do not seek help of an incubator. The eureka project provides support to companies wishing to commercialize their technologies, in the areas of strategic planning, business and marketing plan development, financing advice, and product development. Clients also benefit from reduced rental rates, turnkey offices, equipment usage, and IT support.
United Way - 2008 Campaign
TDS also recognizes the importance of supporting worthwhile causes and initiatives to help those less fortunate. For many years, TDS has been a leading professional organization in donating to the United Way and the many worthwhile causes that we support. The 2008 United Way Campaign Dive was no different as TDS challenged their partners, associates, students and support staff to give generously to the United Way. This year TDS raised over $85,000 for the United Way and is being recognized as one of United Way's Top 50 Workplaces! In addition, TDS had 21 lawyers recognized as Leaders of the Way and received the Silver Award for the 2008 campaign. We invite all of the other Manitoba law firms to challenge us for that recognition in next year's United Way Campaign Drive.
Riverview Health Centre
For almost a decade TDS has been proud to continue to support the Riverview Health Centre by sponsoring their Cycle On Life fundraiser, at the Tour de Friends level. Riverview provides long term rehabilitation services, out-patient care, palliative care and many additional services to the people of Winnipeg.
Oak Hammock Marsh
For over 11 years, TDS has been supporting the Ducks Unlimited's Oak Hammock Marsh. By sponsoring the annual Minister’s Dinner, TDS helps facilitate environmental education to Manitobans through their support of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. Because of their continued support of Oak Hammock Marsh, the front loop in front of the Interpretive Centre is now named "Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP Circle Drive".
FortWhyte Alive
For the past 10 years, TDS has been an evening sponsor for the Sunset BBQ at FortWhyte Alive. Funds contributed by TDS go towards running FortWhyte Alive’s environmental education programs.
Ronald McDonald House
This year Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP sponsored Ronald McDonald House of Manitoba's Tournament of Champions held at the Rossmere Golf & Country Club. This one event raised over $45,000 towards helping families with children at the Children’s Hospital.
The Arts in Winnipeg
This year TDS has sponsored many organizations supporting the Arts in Winnipeg, including Rainbow Stage's performance of Beauty & The Beast, Manitoba Theatre Centre's performance of Boys In The Photograph, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra’s concert on March 31, 2009, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Fitzgerald in Context exhibition.
Manitoba Food Processors Association Golf Tournmament
We were proud sponsors at the 13th Annual Manitoba Food Processors Association Annual Golf Tournment held at the Breezy Bend Country Club on August 6, 2009. Two firm Partners participated in the tournament.
2008 IBM Corporate Challenge: Winnipeg Cheer Board
During the holiday season, TDS participated in the IBM Corporate Challenge to raise money, collect food and toys and to distribute hampers to Winnipeg’s less fortunate. During the busy two week campaign TDS, along with two other Winnipeg companies, Insight Enterprises and Shaw Communications, set the bar at a new height by raising the most “giving points” per employee. These outstanding results come from the generous support of TDS’ approximate 160 partners, associates, administrative staff and students. During this two week period Winnipeggers’ raised $34,000 in cash, 8,550 pounds of food, 1,130 toys and 60 hampers. TDS looks forward to further participation in the Winnipeg community and challenges other Winnipeg area businesses to challenge themselves in next year’s IBM Corporate Challenge.
For more information about the IBM Corporate Challenge please see our news section of our home page.
Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba
2008 will see the completion of TDS's $300,000 contribution for the development of the "Interactive Media Classroom". TDS has a rich history of supporting the University of Manitoba - Faculty of Law, not only with donations, but in volunteering time as lecturers and instructors throughout the academic year and the lawyers at TDS are proud and honoured to give back to the school and faculty where many first started their legal education.
Winnipeg Hospital Golf Tournaments
Every year TDS sponsors holes at golf tournaments held by Winnipeg regional hospitals including the Grace, Misericordia, St Boniface, Health Sciences Centre, Deer Lodge and The Amadeus Steen Foundation in support of the Children’s Hospital.
These hospitals have used contributions from TDS to build teaching centres, redevelop facilities, fund cardiac research and patient care programs. Funds raised have also been used to support physio, occupational therapy programs and programs that allow senior citizens to stay home with their families instead of staying in a long term care facility.