Celebration of Care Gala

or their kid’s birthdays. So, our team then takes these people to various orphanages and homes that we are connected with today and help these people experience the joy of giving. It is a wonderful experience,” says Akash. “Sometimes Dream Club receives food, books, ration, blankets, and clothes from various donors. In that case, we identify who needs what the most and accordingly distribute it amongst them. Often, we even head to the streets and give food and toys to the kids there or distribute ration in slums.”

Hailing from a low-strata of society himself, Akash is well aware of the struggles a middle-income group face for survival. Hence, Dream Club is also actively involved in providing necessities to them as well. What’s truly praiseworthy is the fact that despite working a 9-5 job, Akash and his friends always find the time for their activities at the Dream Club NGO. “Work is a part of life, but what you do beyond that is what matters,” says Akash wisely. He adds, “Be it spending quality time at old-age homes, providing meals to the children and at the orphanages, playing games with them, teaching them… the joy that we get by just giving our time is unparalleled.” This young and enthusiastic group was working tirelessly during the pandemic as well, distributing food and other supplies to the ones in need.

Ask Akash who is his inspiration to selflessly keep striving for bettering the lives of others. He smiles and says, “My mom — Annamma Sandipog. She is also mad,” he says jokingly, before continuing. “I have never seen a more compassionate and giving soul than hers. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t come from any fancy background. We used to stay in slums. My mom was the only earning member of the house and even then, at that time, she had adopted three kids. One of them is a chef today and two of my adopted sisters are still studying. Often, she would even give away things meant for us to other less fortunate people… She is something else. So, without a doubt she is my inspiration, she is my hero. She has introduced me to the act of giving selflessly.”

Talking about the plans for Dream Club, Akash says excitedly, “We want to continue doing what we do – spread smiles and joy, also, we are considering starting something related to education. There are so many young graduates in our city who are jobless and on the other hand, many street kids and slum kids are deprived of a good education. So, we at Dream Club are planning to employ these graduates to teach the street and slum kids. We had discussed this idea with a trust in Spain, who had come down recently, so let’s see how that goes. Meanwhile, Dream Club’s permanent plan is to keep doing good work, help the ones who are in need, and spread smiles.” As an afterthought, he adds, “We hope more and more people realize the joy of giving and spend time and a little money for these kinds of causes. The world will be a much better place then.”

Well, we couldn’t agree more. May he and his tribe rise.

You can also support Dream Club and their mission by joining its community on social media, spreading awareness about the work they do or by making a donation. Visit their Instagram handle: @dreamclub_n_g_o

“Legacy” is a powerful word, for the Parmar brothers of Eco-Giants Construction Cleaning & Janitorial, legacy is at the core of their organizational philosophy. Gary and Jesse Parmar carry forward their beloved family business and aspire to leave a positive impact on their community and clients. From helping their parents hands-on in their school days, to now opening business offices in Surrey, Calgary, and soon Toronto, Gary and Jesse have experienced quite the journey. For this legacy, they credit their parents.

Sukhwinder Kaur Parmar and Talwinder Singh Parmar (parents of Gary and Jesse), broke into the cleaning industry in the 1990s. They’d clean everything from apartment condos to medical offices. During this time, young Gary and Jesse would accompany them as childcare was not affordable and the couple could use the extra helping hands. Although eventually often judged for being young businessmen, the siblings undeniably garnered valuable experience at a young age. While both admit to having viewed the business negatively in the beginning, their views have since changed. Gary recalls, “I remember, while fulfilling a cleaning contract with my parents, we bumped into some teammates that my brother had played football with just the week before. They poked fun at us, telling us we had “missed a spot”. Growing up, we missed the opportunity to attend many special occasions such as birthday parties, summer holidays, even Christmas.

Moreover, people would tell our parents that their kids wouldn’t ever amount to anything and that they would only be “just cleaners”. Today, when I sit in my office, I proudly say that, yes, we are cleaners. However, with this business, we’ve been able to educate ourselves, grow financial stability, and make smart and calculated investments. We have grown and are able to genuinely appreciate and realize the sacrifices our parents made.”

Sukhwinder and Talwinder themselves may have struggled in the beginning, but Gary and Jesse remind the world that it is through the cleaning business that their parents were able to withstand two recessions and purchase a home in Surrey. Gary and Jesse emphasize that service-oriented businesses, cleaning included, truly build our economy and shouldn’t be looked down upon. The Eco-Giants co-owners further encourage young adults to remember that family businesses are a labor of love.

That said, Gary and Jesse didn’t always have such a positive outlook. In 2009, their mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite the harsh chemotherapy treatments and the inevitable emotional turmoil, she continued to work, even if it meant heading to a cleaning contract right after finishing a chemotherapy session. Embodying pure strength, she never took a day off. Her cancer came back in 2011 and once again aggressively in 2013, after which the family lost Sukhwinder.

Following her passing, Talwinder and his sons continued with the business, but there were just too many memories associated with the company. Soon after, the Parmars made the decision to close down the company. After venturing off to experiment with other career paths, in 2016, Gary and Jesse decided to try again, with their minds and hearts fully on board. This time, they’d immerse themselves not just in the janitorial space, but bring to life their vision of becoming the “Rolls-Royce” of construction cleaning. Though their mother and father may not have been physically present, Gary and Jesse fell heir to their gifts of resilience, perseverance, and inspiration.

Don’t take your parents for granted. You should tell them you love them everyday. Take advantage of the time you have with them. We also hang on to memories by staying in this business. Remember, at the end of the day, they’re doing it for you.”

- Gary Parmar President / CEO

Jesse explains that their differentiating factor as a company lies in their staff power, “It’s not just about getting the work done, but also about hiring the right people. Although there can be a stigma when it comes to treatment of cleaning companies’ staff, we don’t take advantage of our workers. Our priority is our employees. We are just as strong as our force. That’s why, even if we have just a 3-hour notice, we’ll be there first, delivering the fastest service and providing the best quality.”

Eco-Giants has been successful at retaining clientele. The company has secured some of the biggest sites in major cities across Canada, thanks to an eco-friendly, simple system that offers consistent pricing and quality. Furthermore, steering through obstacles is an acquired and honed skill set for Gary and Jesse. Gary remembers securing a project with Surrey Memorial Hospital, the very place his mother was being treated, he mentions,

As our parents have taught us, treat people with dignity and respect, do good and good will be returned to you. As for our company, we work hard and with honesty. The fruits of our labor will continue to grow.”

- Jesse Parmar Vice President

provinces of Canada. In the next five years, Eco-Giants’ goal is to enter the United States of America. Though Gary and Jesse’s father also passed away in 2019, both parents would have been beaming with pride today looking at their boys’ success. Alongside their parents, the brothers are heartily thankful for their maternal uncle, Kamaljit Chauhan, in Ontario, who has been a significantly influential role-model and has guided them in the right direction in life and business.

“When negotiating a new contract, I have no fear because I feel like I’ve gone through the worst of the worst already. I put my head up just as much as the competition or the client. I try to educate people and try to make them understand our perspective. People may know how to manage a project, but they have no idea the intricacies of cleaning a building. We do have to put our foot down occasionally, we’re strict and this allows our performance to speak.”

Learning early on from the do’s and don’ts that their parents exemplified, Gary and Jesse invest in top-tier staff, training and products. Eco-Giants’ non-solvent cleaners get the job done well but don’t damage property, nor leave residues that may otherwise pose long-term health risks. Though projects range in size and duration, no job is too big or too small for Eco-Giants. That’s why the company customizes each project based on their client’s unique needs.

Surely, what was once a small business is now on its way to becoming a business empire all set to operate in three major

Gary shares, “Don’t take your parents for granted. You should tell them you love them everyday. Take advantage of the time you have with them. We also hang on to memories by staying in this business. Remember, at the end of the day, they’re doing it for you.” To amplify the impact of their parents on the community, Gary and Jesse have started “The Sukhi and Tom Foundation”, a noble non-profit committed to financially helping underprivileged organizations and individuals. Whether it be a scholarship for a full year of sports training or a team-based jersey sponsorship, the foundation strongly believes in providing donations and support to those in need.

As for Eco-Giants, the sky is truly the limit for this business of passion. With dreams in their eyes and purpose in their hearts, the two fearless leaders are on a mission to spread their wings of steel. Jesse sums up their strategy best, “As our parents have taught us, treat people with dignity and respect, do good and good will be returned to you. As for our company, we work hard and with honesty. The fruits of our labor will continue to grow.”

Contact Us: 604.362.9162

12 – 8456 129A Street, Surrey, BC V3W 1A2 info@ecogiants.com