Burgeonvest Securities donates a day’s commission to McMaster

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/MarioFrankovich.jpg” caption=”Mario Frankovich, president and CEO of Burgeonvest.”]Burgeonvest Securities Ltd. will host a unique series of events beginning Tuesday, Dec. 21, that will see the company donate an anticipated $750,000 to the Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium project over the next 10 years.

Next Tuesday, the company and its investment advisors in the Hamilton and Burlington offices will donate to McMaster their respective commissions earned on the sale or purchase of all stock and bond transactions. That day, and on commission contribution days held annually until 2013, the commissions collected will benefit the University's campaign for the Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium.

Mario Frankovich, president and CEO of Burgeonvest, pitched the idea to colleagues after reading about the campaign and its cabinet in the fall 2004 McMaster Times. “When I pitched the commission contribution idea to our local offices, I was met with such enthusiasm from our employees that I took even greater pride in the people with whom I work.”

Both clients and non-clients of Burgeonvest Securities Ltd. can contribute their commissions on Tuesday. Burgeonvest clients can discuss with their investment advisor the most appropriate stock or bond transaction for their portfolio, expressing a desire to make that transaction on Dec. 21, 2004. For those not a Burgeonvest client, contact the Hamilton or Burlington Burgeonvest offices at 905-528-6505 or 905-336-9544 or visit www.burgeonvest.com to find out how to open a “one-time trade account” that will allow clients to make a stock or bond transaction on Dec. 21, without any obligation to continue a client relationship with Burgeonvest. This should be completed a couple days ahead to ensure an account is open on or before Tuesday.

“The proceeds from 10 years of Burgeonvest's Commission Contribution Day is very likely the most unique philanthropic contribution we've received to date,” says Roger Trull, McMaster's vice-president of university advancement. “Not only is Burgeonvest investing in the Hamilton community by supporting McMaster's Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium project, but they are also raising the profile of Burgeonvest Securities Ltd. — a valued community business and prominent financial services company. It's a win-win situation — one that I hope a number of our alumni and community members will take advantage of.”

With each passing year, it is expected that Burgeonvest Securities Ltd.'s clientele will grow and word will spread about the rare opportunity to donate commissions on investment transactions to McMaster. Correspondingly, Burgeonvest's annual contribution to McMaster will increase so that by December 2013, it is anticipated that commission contributions will reach $750,000.

In appreciation of the company's gift, McMaster will recognize Burgeonvest Securities Ltd. as the title sponsor of the $750,000 renovations to the Arthur Burridge Gymnasium.

For more information on the campaign for the Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium, contact the campaign office at 905-525-9140, ext. 23040.