Earthquake in Haiti: Desjardins Caisse Members Highly Mobilized

LÉVIS, QC, Jan. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - One week after the earthquake that devastated Haiti , mobilization amongst Desjardins caisse members is reaching new heights.

In fact, as of January 20 , Desjardins members alone had contributed more than $1 million in donations to the Red Cross. Most of the contributions ( $888,717 ) came through the caisse network, followed by donations made by cashing in BONUSDOLLARS ( $71,120 ), and then contributions made directly to the Red Cross through the Internet AccèsD service ( $67,025 ).

Including the $300,000 donated by Desjardins the day after the quake struck, the Red Cross has received a total of $1,326,862 from Desjardins and its members within the space of one week. And there's been no drop in member solidarity either, as evidenced by the amount of funds received each day at Caisse Desjardins de Montréal-Nord, where all donations made by caisses throughout Québec and Ontario are being compiled. Some caisses are even working on their own to raise additional funds.

Desjardins is a partner of the January 22 major benefit show for Haiti and is proud of the commitment of close to one hundred of its own AccèsD customer service employees who will take calls from the public over the course of the evening. These employees have freely volunteered their time to help with this fundraising mission. A hotline number will be made available for donations during the benefit show.

"This outpouring of solidarity is simply a reminder that our members and our employees take helping others to heart, and that they truly share Desjardins Group's cooperative values. I would like to sincerely thank them for their generosity and I encourage them to continue in this spirit," stated Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada , and the sixth largest in the world, with overall assets of $163 billion . Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, as well as its subsidiaries, several of which are active throughout Canada , Desjardins offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 million individual and business members and clients. Desjardins Group is also home to a wealth of expertise in property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, wealth management, services for businesses of all sizes, securities brokerage, venture capital, asset management and secure leading-edge virtual access methods, all part of an integrated offer that is the only one of its kind in Canada . One of the largest employers in the country, Desjardins is backed by the knowledge and skills of its 42,000 employees and the commitment of its 6,300 elected officers. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com.

For further information: (for journalists only): Caroline Phémius, Advisor, Media Relations, [phone] or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7646, [email protected]