BMO Partners with SCORES and James Lick Middle School
NBC News on site for the Field of Dreams Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
BMO delivered a triple-play win for SCORES programs this spring, supporting financial literacy workshops and the creation of a new Field of Dreams turf field at James Lick Middle School in San Francisco, and energetically participating in this year’s SCORES Cup charity soccer tournament.
“BMO has been an absolutely amazing corporate partner,” said SCORES Executive Director Colin Schmidt. “They helped transform a hard, unforgiving asphalt playground into a lush green turf soccer field. They came into the classroom to teach financial literacy kids to middle schoolers. And they hit the field to play in our annual Corporate Cup, which this year raised $150,000 in support of our year-round afterschool program.”
BMO’s steady engagement was led by Stephanie Tedy, VP of Strategic Philanthropy. “Stephanie was a joy to work with at every step of the way, from our first meeting till the final ribbon-cutting ceremony,” says Schmidt.
To fuel the financial literacy workshops, Tedy recruited 18 BMO employees to volunteer to lead six 80-minute sessions. Nearly 180 students learned lessons in earning, budgeting, saving, and investing and received individual copies of the book, “Nickles, Dollars, and Dimes” by Watering Can Press.
“It was very rewarding working with the young kids here in sixth grade, just being able to advise them and teach them. Our message today was to empower them for their future,” said BMO financial literacy volunteer Alex Topete.
BMO jumped in as the primary corporate partner for James Lick’s 10,000-square-foot new turf field, and Tedy couldn’t be more excited. “When James Lick Middle School and America SCORES Bay Area approached BMO, we said, “Absolutely, we're all in. As the Bank of Soccer, we are proud to support these organizations and these projects to make our communities a better place to live.” The event was featured on NBC, ABC, KTVU Fox. At the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, BMO also gave away 500 pairs of sunglasses to all students and staff at the school.
As a grand finale, BMO employees participated in SCORES’ annual charity soccer tournament. The SCORES Corporate Cup brought together Bay Area companies and soccer enthusiasts for soccer, lunch, and team-building activities. ADD QUOTE if we have one..
