New national support program for healthcare organizations «Car for Life Program», A unique opportunity to make a difference

MONTREAL, May 15, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The ARPAC Foundation announces the launch of its national Car for Life program. The aim of the project is to collect old vehicles from the public and donate their value to health-related charities to fund research and contribute to public well-being.

Since its creation in 1995, ARPAC Foundation helps people in difficult circumstances by supporting charity organizations active in health care as well as humanitarian and educational projects. It is now concentrating on health care through its Car for Life program. "Personal well-being has always been an important concern for our foundation," notes Pierre Robitaille, ARPAC's Chairman of the Board of directors. "We aim to boost our involvement in the sector to make a real difference in an area that affects us all."

The Car for Life program is very simple: Owners of old vehicles who wish to get rid of them can go to www.carforlife.ca or call the toll free number Depending on the vehicle's condition, the owner can either take it or have it towed to the nearest ARPAC recycler. "The foundation will donate an amount corresponding to the car's age to a partner organization of the participant's choice," explains Mr. Robitaille. "Donations vary between $150 for vehicles dating back to 2000 or earlier and $500 for vehicles built in 2005 or later," adds the Chairman.

The ARPAC Foundation has chosen some prestigious partners to help it carry out this project. Car for Life participants can direct their donations to one of the following organizations:

• Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles Bruneau
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Quebec Respiratory Health Foundation/The Lung Association
• Mental Illness Foundation
• Foundation of Stars - Research on diseases that affect children
• Fondation Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne
• Eye Disease Foundation
• Opération enfant soleil
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

"The Foundation wanted to have as many partners as possible. That way, donors can give to a cause they really care about: cancer, lung disease, or a child suffering from a serious illness," says Mr. Robitaille. All program partners will promote the program with banners on their websites and announcements in their communications tools.

ARPAC network members and business partners represent a broad community of people who want to get involved in improving health care and health research. "All of us, directly or indirectly, know someone with an illness. It is for them, for us, and for our children that we created this program concludes Mr. Robitaille.

Nearly 400,000 vehicles are taken off the road every year in Québec. ARPAC members already recycle a large number of them due to their strong presence throughout the province, but also via special programs with dealers. With this campaign, the Foundation wants to recycle the majority of these cars and benefit the community at the same time.

ARPAC is an association of 89 auto and truck part recyclers throughout Quebec noted for their high standards of service, guaranteed recycled parts,strict code of ethics, and responsible business practices.

For more information contact
France Gaignard [phone]