Wawanesa Insurance makes $150,000 donation to Fiona relief fund

Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is donating a total of $150,000 to emergency relief efforts focused on helping those affected by Hurricane Fiona.

The funding will be split two ways. $100,000 will go to the Canadian Red Cross for the non-profit’s “Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal,” which provides emergency services such as interim housing, clothing, food, and other essential supplies to people in need. The other $50,000 will be used to support a dollar-for-dollar donation matching program, that is open to Wawanesa employees, brokers, and the public.

Donations for the dollar matching program can be made through a Wawanesa website.

“Our entire Canadian operations are focused on helping the people and businesses we insure in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec get the support available to them through their insurance policies with us,” said Wawanesa president of Canadian property & casualty operations Carol Jardine. “We know all too well the increasing toll of climate change and extreme weather on Canadians, and we are committed to helping our customers recover and rebuild in a way that makes us all more resilient.”

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona has hit our friends and neighbours hard,” said Wawanesa Eastern Canada regional vice president Paul Faubert. “That’s why, in addition to providing emergency funds directly, we’ll match donations, dollar for dollar, from insurance brokers, our employees and the public.”

According to a company release, Wawanesa has committed a total of almost $3.5 million – including this recent donation – this year to support community organizations across Canada and the US.

Read more: Insurance industry steps up to help Canadians affected by Hurricane Fiona

Wawanesa is the latest insurer to provide monetary support to the Canadian Red Cross for Fiona relief. Other insurers that have contributed to the cause include Aviva Canada ($100,000), Sun Life ($100,000), and Gore Mutual ($50,000). And much like Wawanesa, Aviva Canada has offered to match donations made by its own employees.