2021 ‘Lighthouse Award’ Recipient: TD Bank

TD Bank is committed to improving the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. And, a big part of that approach is investing in organizations that provide support to the children who live in those communities. 

“Children are the future. When you invest in them, they’re stronger and the community gets stronger,” said Thomas Shoemaker, TD Bank’s Pennsylvania Market president. “Those children are the next generation of leaders and stewards of their communities. It’s critical that we support them.”

For that commitment, TD Bank is being honored as Salus University’s 2021 “Lighthouse Award” recipient. The “Looking Out for Kids” annual fundraiser and ongoing healthcare initiatives provide the necessary funds for children in need in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. 

The 14th annual event will be virtual this year, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1. 

Despite the challenges presented during the pandemic, the University’s pre-pandemic programs for the 2019 school year were able to offer vision screenings to more than 4,300 school-aged children; offer hearing screenings to more than 3,000 children; distribute more than 920 pairs of glasses to children; and provide hearing technology to three children.

Since 2014, the TD Charitable Foundation has contributed $74,000 to “Looking Out for Kids” Norristown Area School District’s programs. 

“We are thrilled that TD Bank is this year’s LOFK Lighthouse Award winner,” said Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, Salus president. “Our relationship is more than just one of a business association, as they have genuinely become partners with us on many fronts.”

In addition, Dr. Mittelman highlighted Shoemaker’s connection with the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, and how The Eye Institute’s vision care services were provided to children in Philadelphia neighborhoods through the YMCA’s “Play Streets” program last summer.

“Salus was able to support the “Play Streets” program by adding on additional benefits and services for these communities and made it all the more attractive for the kids to come there,” said Shoemaker.

He added that the bank loves being able to support partners and businesses that are working together to support children in need. 

“Salus is a great partner in that regard. It’s not just the great work that Salus does in and of itself, it’s the great work it does in conjunction with others in the community,” said Shoemaker.

Shoemaker, 13-year TD Bank Pennsylvania Market president, and Geoff Brandon, TD Bank’s regional vice president, will accept the award on behalf of the bank during the virtual event.

“It is an honor for us to recognize TD Bank’s service to the University and the greater Philadelphia region by presenting them with this award. There is no better example of corporate citizenship and we could not ask for better partners than TD,” said Dr. Mittelman.