LCBO Stores Raise Funds for Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID)

TORONTO, April 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Starting April 26, the public can help support Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) by making a donation at any of the more than 650 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for OSAID will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until May 23.

OSAID is a long-standing student leadership program with chapters in high schools throughout Ontario. OSAID hosts events and activities that encourage students to make smart, informed and sober choices to reduce driver risk and injury in the province of Ontario. The donations raised by the LCBO's Provincial Donation Box Program will enable OSAID to continue their peer education program to inform teens of severe risks associated with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and texting and driving. 

"Impaired driving is still the number one killer of teens," says Matt Evans, Executive Director of OSAID. "It is estimated that every weekend, 123 teens are killed or injured in traffic vehicle collisions on average. Support from LCBO customers and staff is essential for our program to continue educating Ontario teens about the dangers of driving while impaired."

"LCBO is pleased to partner with Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving and support a variety of worthy causes through the Giving Back In Our Community fundraising program," says LCBO President & CEO Bob Peter. "The generosity of LCBO customers and staff enable these charitable organizations to make a significant impact in helping individuals and communities across Ontario."

OSAID is one of 28 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBO's province-wide donation box program in 2015. In 2013, LCBO raised a total of more than $8.2 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $7.7 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.74 billion in fiscal 2013-14, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

OSAID thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from April 26 - May 23, 2015.

SOURCE Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving

MEDIA CONTACTS: Matt Evans, Executive Director, OSAID, Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]; Stephanie Petroff, LCBO Senior Communications Consultant, Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]