Toronto, July 25, 2006 – The Independent Order of Foresters, commonly known as Foresters^TM, today announced that its eighth annual Kids Classic Golf Tournament raised more than $100,000 for McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton and Flemo City Radio, a community-based radio station run by youth for youth in Toronto’s Flemingdon Park.

Over the past eight years, Foresters annual event has raised more than $700,000 for Children’s Miracle Network affiliate hospitals such as the SickKids Foundation in Toronto, the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario in London and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Once again, this year’s tournament has met its fundraising target.

“What sets Foresters apart from other financial services organizations is our focused commitment to communities,” said George Mohacsi, President and CEO of Foresters. “We share our time, talent and financial strength to help children, families and their communities. That’s why this year’s Foresters Kids Classic supports two organizations: McMaster Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network affiliate hospital, and the Flemingdon’s Youth Today program in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Flemingdon Park Community.”

Located within McMaster University Medical Centre, McMaster Children’s Hospital is one of the largest pediatric academic health sciences centres in Canada and one of the two busiest children’s hospitals in Ontario. Children and families come from Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant, Guelph and beyond to receive specialized care at the hospital. More than 40 pediatric clinics (across the McMaster and Chedoke sites) within the 126-bed McMaster Children’s Hospital help young patients with asthma, cancer, emotional/ behavioral disorders and virtually any illness. In the past year, more than 150,000 children and their families were cared for.

“The funds raised from the 2006 Foresters Kids Classic Golf Tournament will go towards the purchase of a Giraffe Incubator for our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” said Dr. Peter Steer, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital. “This specialized equipment allows us to treat the very distinctive needs of children by ensuring that the infant is properly positioned for all types of procedures. At McMaster Children’s Hospital our practice revolves around family-centred care and using leading edge equipment like the Giraffe Incubator is one of the most important ways we can assure families that their child is receiving the best care possible. Support from Foresters is paramount in enabling McMaster Children’s Hospital lead the way in pediatric health care, education and innovation.”

Flemo Radio is a small grassroots project that has developed over the past few years with the support of the Ontario Science Centre. The radio station operates live broadcasts from the Flemingdon Resource Centre that entertain, educate and discuss neighbourhood issues. This project will help youth find a voice for the positive energy in their community as well as teach them skills in radio broadcasting, music recording and web casting.

"We are committed to providing a sustainable resource and voice for the diverse cultures in Flemingdon Park and to assist youth in developing transferable skills that will create opportunities for future success," said Robert Mais, one of eight community leaders guiding the Flemo Radio initiative.

Also part of the Flemingdon’s Youth Today program, Foresters will provide six internship placements in their corporate office, neighbouring the Flemingdon Park Community. In collaboration with the City of Toronto and the Youth Challenge Fund, Foresters hopes to further expand, enhance and sustain youth-driven initiatives in this community.

“Creating opportunities for education, employment and engagement for young people represents one of the four pillars of Toronto's Community Safety Plan and Flemingdon’s Youth Today program is helping to achieve those important objectives,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “Foresters investment in youth from Flemingdon Park will enable them to develop their skills and abilities, boost their confidence and give them hope for the future.”

Foresters Kids Classic, held at DiamondBack Golf Club in Richmond Hill, on July 24th, was attended by over 160 guests and generously supported by lead sponsor, Scotia Capital. Other key sponsors include Nomura Securities International, CGI, Merrill Lynch and RBC Capital Markets.

Also contributing to the success of this event was Eric Lindros along with the celebrity golfers Steve Thomas, Nick Kypreos, Rob DiMaio, Brett Lindros and Adrion Smith.

About McMaster Children’s Hospital
McMaster Children’s Hospital - or Mac Kids as it is fondly known - is one of the largest pediatric academic health sciences centres in Canada and one of the two busiest children’s hospitals in Ontario. Serving a population of over 2.3 million in Hamilton and beyond, McMaster Children’s Hospital is a part of the Hamilton Health Sciences family of hospitals. Staff and volunteers embrace a family-centred care philosophy and are committed to providing the best care possible for our children. McMaster Children's Hospital is a leader in pediatric care and education and champions innovative research that is changing the face of care for children locally, nationally and world-wide. As a regional referral centre, McMaster Children's Hospital specializes in neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, cardiology, child abuse assessment and advocacy, digestive diseases, developmental medicine, child and youth mental health, hematology/oncology, to name just a few. At McMaster Children’s Hospital we are caring for our future, one child at a time. To learn more about McMaster Children’s Hospital please visit, www.mcmasterchildrenshospital.ca

About Flemingdon’s Youth Today
Flemingdon’s Youth Today program is a multifaceted approach to investing in the Flemingdon Park neighbourhood, one of 13 priority neighbourhoods identified in Toronto’s Community Safety Plan. Working in collaboration with the City of Toronto and community partners, Foresters is undertaking a series of initiatives that tie together to provide youth with meaningful youth engagement opportunities such as education, employment, mentorship and training that will help them to flourish in a strong, safe city. In addition to Flemo Radio and the internship program, Foresters is also pursuing other opportunities to invest in the Flemingdon Park neighbourhood.

About Foresters
Founded in 1874, Foresters^TM helps individuals and families achieve financial security with its innovative portfolio of life insurance products and annuities. Foresters shares its financial strength with its members, who are customers, through complimentary life, health and education benefits that help its 850,000 eligible members and their families in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Foresters provides opportunities that inspire its members to make a difference in their communities. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com

Foresters^TM is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.

For further information, please contact:

Irene Shimoda
Director of Public Relations
Foresters
416 429 3000 ext. 4651
1 877 664 6602 (toll free)
ishimoda@foresters.com