La Montée des sommets: A Laurentian Bank Fundraising Initiative in Support of the Fondation Le Petit Blanchon

MONTREAL, Sept. 23, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The fundraising and family hiking event known as the Laurentian Bank Montée des sommets will be held September 28 at Mont Sainte-Anne in the Québec City region. The event is aimed at supporting the Fondation Le Petit Blanchon, an organization dedicated to helping children in difficulty.

Still Time to Register
Whether participating alone, with children, or as a team, the Laurentian Bank Montée des sommets is a wonderful opportunity to experience a unique day of invigorating physical activity, while taking in the vibrant fall colours on magnificent Mont Sainte-Anne site. The challenge involves a five-hour hike, with the goal being to complete as great a distance as possible along the 3.9-kilometre La Pichard trail. Distance is calculated by referring to the signposts erected at 800-metre intervals. As such, the event is accessible for both young and not so young, regardless of physical condition.

People who wish to participate can purchase individual or group packages online at the event's Web site (www.lamonteedessommetsbl.com). To make the event even more family-oriented, children aged 12 and under can take part free of charge.

Fun for the Entire Family
A large family area will be arranged at the foot of the mountain especially for the occasion, and Laurentian Bank's Little Heroes Club will be on hand to keep youngsters amused. The diversions will include inflatable games, face painting, and much more. A show featuring Tarra's Band will also be presented at the foot of the slopes from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Those unable to make the hike up the mountain will still be able to encourage the participants and make a donation to the cause, while enjoying a beautiful autumn day in the great outdoors.

Andrée Watters Goes Acoustic
Québec City singer, Andrée Watters, will also be at the summit of Mont Sainte-Anne to perform an acoustic concert for hikers who opted for the Mon sommet Plus and 4 versants packages. Accompanied by one of her musicians, she will be performing a number of hits from her Country Rock and Country Rock Covers albums.

An Initiative Conceived and Designed by Bank Employees
The Laurentian Bank Montée des sommets is the product of Bank employees' creative imagination. "We believe that this activity is perfectly aligned with our organization's commitment to be actively involved with communities and youth," underlines Hugo Côté, the Bank's Vice-President of Retail Financial Services for the Québec City and Eastern Québec region.

The Fondation Le Petit Blanchon is planning a major project for 2014 — the construction of Phare du Blanchon, a special place of learning. Designed specifically for youth who are cut off from the regular school system, this group home to be located in a semi-rural setting is being established for young people between the ages of 8 and 13 who are dealing with the repercussions of having dropped out of school.

About Laurentian Bank

Laurentian Bank of Canada is a pan-Canadian banking institution that has $34 billion in balance sheet assets and $37 billion in assets under administration. Founded in 1846, Laurentian Bank was selected in 2012 as one of the 10 winners of the Canada's Passion Capitalists program in recognition of its sustained success in creating "Passion Capital" among its people. The Bank employs more than 4,200 people.

Recognized for its excellent service, proximity and simplicity, Laurentian Bank serves more than one million clients in market segments in which it holds an enviable position. In addition to occupying a choice position among consumers in Québec, where it operates the third largest branch network, the Bank has built a solid reputation across Canada in the area of real estate and commercial financing thanks to its teams working out of more than 35 offices in Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia.  Its subsidiary, B2B Bank, is a Canadian leader in providing banking products as well as investment accounts and services to financial advisors and brokers, while Laurentian Bank Securities is an integrated broker, widely recognized for its expertise and effectiveness nationwide.

SOURCE: Laurentian Bank of Canada

Mary-Claude Tardif
Public Relations Advisor
514 284-4500, extension 4695
[email protected]