Centraide of Greater Montreal recognizes the generosity of companies, agencies and volunteers

MONTREAL, April 20, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Yesterday evening, Centraide of Greater Montreal awarded its Solidaires at the Montréal Science Centre. These annual awards recognize the social commitment of businesses and the community action of agencies who fight poverty and social exclusion.

Eight companies were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the success of Centraide's annual campaign. RBC Royal Bank won the Solidaires Overall Support for best campaign. Solidaires were given to BMO Financial Group, CAE, Cominar, Hydro-Québec, Miller Thomson and Stingray. A Coup de cœur was also awarded to METRO.

Five Solidaires were given to agencies, volunteers and people in the community sector who work to improve the lives of people who are in a situation of poverty or social exclusion.

• Citizen Advocacy Haut-Richelieu (Solidaires Empowerment). This agency helps people with an intellectual impairment get on a path to social and citizen involvement by pairing them with a volunteer.
• Centre de femmes du Haut-Richelieu (Solidaires Mobilization). This women's centre brought together eight local agencies to create a sustainable and intergenerational collective garden where youth and seniors in need can locally grow low-cost produce.
• Pierre G. Cartier, Executive Director, Corporation de L'Étincelle (Solidaires Leadership). As director for this agency in Saint-Henri for many years, Mr. Cartier has helped underprivileged families, children, seniors or people with disabilities enjoy a camping experience in Lanaudière. Because of his leadership, the camp optimized its reception processes and accessibility policies for vulnerable people while encouraging social and cultural diversity.
• Mohamed Maazami, volunteer at the Joujouthèque Saint-Michel (Solidaires Citizen Involvement). An immigrant who settled in Quebec in 1989, Mr. Maazami knows how to give back to the community for the benefits it provides him. He has been involved with the Joujouthèque Saint-Michel for 18 years. This agency promotes childhood development through games and play and fosters the parent-child relationship to prevent or decrease developmental delays.
• Caroline Langevin, Executive Director, Corporation L'Espoir (Solidaires NextGen). For seven years, Ms. Langevin has led the Corporation L'Espoir to help a growing number of people with disabilities understand the benefits of becoming included and integrated in society. This agency provides tailored services to over 450 families on the Island of Montreal who live with someone who has an intellectual impairment or autism spectrum disorder.

A special mention was also given to Pat Hardt, a retired nurse and psychotherapist who volunteers for Chez Doris, The Women's Shelter Foundation.

Finally, the Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire Award was given to Louis L. Roquet in honour of his major contributions to advancing the mission of Centraide of Greater Montreal for nearly 15 years, particularly as a member of its Board of Directors.

Centraide of Greater Montreal is an independent organization managed by a Board of Directors that is representative of the community. It serves Laval, Montreal, and the South Shore. About 57,000 volunteers are involved with the agencies that it supports, and 22,000 volunteers work on its annual campaign. Centraide is supported by 1,200 private, public and parapublic corporations and institutions as well as large trade unions. For more information: centraide-mtl.org.

Related links:

Videos of the Solidaires award winners to community agencies:
http://bit.ly/2pGrkp6

Photos of the Solidaires award winners:
https://bit.ly/2pGrFZ0

SOURCE Centraide of Greater Montreal

Annick Gagnon, Centraide of Greater Montreal, 514-288-1261, extension 242, [email protected]

Related Links

www.centraide-mtl.org