Desjardins to donate another $50,000 and take up measures to assist Lac-Mégantic victims

MONTREAL, July 7, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group has announced that it will be donating another $50,000 to the Red Cross to assist residents of Lac-Mégantic who are severely affected by the train derailment that laid waste to downtown Lac-Mégantic. With the $50,000 it already pledged yesterday, Desjardins has now donated a total of $100,000.

In addition, as of Monday, Desjardins will be collecting funds for the Red Cross via its Quebec and Ontario caisse network.

"Desjardins wants to do even more for the Lac-Mégantic community. The extent of this disaster is such that there is a strong, urgent call for solidarity. We are putting our entire caisse network at the service of the population so that everyone has the opportunity to show their support for the people in Lac-Mégantic," said Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, in an emotional statement.

Yesterday Desjardins teams quickly mobilized to assist the victims and help them through this ordeal. Claims experts from Desjardins Insurance—life and home and car—are already on site to guide and support the insureds in their claims procedures. The Desjardins Aid Fund, which aims at helping individuals and communities affected by disasters, will also be used to contribute to Desjardins's relief efforts.

In the same vein, Desjardins will be collaborating with the CLSC (Local Community Services Centre) in the area to offer psychological support to those who need it. A dedicated telephone line will also be open 24 hours a day starting on Monday at 8:00 a.m., at 514-871-3231 or 1-877-271-3231.

Over the next few days and weeks, Desjardins Group will be providing its individual and business members who have been affected with personalized assistance, based on their respective needs.

Neighbouring caisses are assessing the situation every hour and measures will be taken in the event of continuing power outage which would cause them to remain closed on Monday. However, a number of Desjardins service outlets and ATMs located outside the affected zone are fully operational. For additional information, Desjardins members can call 1-800-CAISSES (1-800-224-7737) at any time.

About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets over $200 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. Best Corporate Citizen in Canada for 2012 and among Canada's Top 100 Employers, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,942 employees and the commitment of 5,268 elected officers. Desjardins members and the general public are invited to visit Desjardins Group's education and cooperation program website at www.desjardins.com/co-opme.

SOURCE: Desjardins Group

Information (for journalists only)
Nathalie Genest
Spokesperson, Desjardins Group
Tel.: [phone]
Email: [email protected]