The Canadian railway supply industry helps connect communities, move essential goods, and support economic growth from coast to coast. This December, the industry has a new opportunity to make an impact in a different way.
Rail Gives Back is a national volunteer initiative designed to bring together railway supplier companies from across Canada in support of the communities where they live and work. Running from December 1-11, 2026, the inaugural campaign encourages member companies to contribute their time, skills, and resources to causes that matter locally.
A National Industry Effort
The railway supply industry has a long history of giving back through volunteerism, charitable fundraising, environmental stewardship, mentorship, and community partnerships. Rail Gives Back provides an opportunity to unite these efforts under one national banner and showcase the collective impact our industry can make when we work together.
Inspired by International Volunteer Day, the campaign invites CARS member companies to organize and participate in volunteer initiatives that benefit local communities while demonstrating the industry's commitment to corporate citizenship and community engagement.
Why Get Involved?
Participating in Rail Gives Back offers benefits that extend beyond a single day of volunteering.
Companies can:
- Support important local causes and organizations
- Engage employees through meaningful team-building opportunities
- Strengthen relationships with community partners
- Demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility
- Showcase their impact as part of a national industry-wide campaign
- Help build a stronger, more connected railway supply community across Canada
Whether your organization is large or small, every contribution matters.
Volunteer Your Way
The beauty of Rail Gives Back is its flexibility. Participating companies can choose activities that align with their employees' interests and the needs of their communities.
Examples include:
- Volunteering at a local food bank
- Organizing a holiday donation or toy drive
- Supporting shelters and community organizations
- Participating in environmental clean-up projects
- Planting trees and supporting sustainability initiatives
- Mentoring youth and students
- Hosting fundraising events for local charities
- Providing skilled volunteer services to non-profit organizations
No matter the activity, the goal remains the same: making a positive difference where we live and work.
Building Industry Impact
As the inaugural year of the program, CARS has set an ambitious goal of generating more than 1,000 volunteer hours while supporting communities across Canada and establishing Rail Gives Back as an annual industry tradition.
Imagine the impact if companies from every region of the country participate. Hundreds of industry professionals working together can create real, measurable change for charities, community groups, schools, environmental organizations, and countless Canadians who benefit from these efforts.
Recognition for Participating Companies
CARS will celebrate participating organizations throughout the campaign. Companies that take part will have opportunities to be featured through:
- The CARS website
- CARS newsletters
- Social media channels
- The Rail Gives Back Impact Report
This recognition helps showcase employee engagement, community partnerships, and the industry's commitment to making a difference beyond rail.
Join the Movement
Participation is open to all CARS member companies, with activities taking place between December 1 and 11, 2026. Registration is complimentary, and companies are asked to appoint a Volunteer Lead to coordinate their organization's involvement. The registration deadline is November 20, 2026.
Together, we can demonstrate the positive impact Canada's railway supply industry has on communities from coast to coast.
Join the inaugural Rail Gives Back campaign and help us build a stronger industry, stronger communities, and a stronger legacy of service.
Register today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/MV9M4Hmm8P