Sainte-Justine's 7th annual Christmas Tree Campaign a record-breaker! - More than 89,000 lights twinkling in a show of support for sick children and their families

MONTREAL, Dec. 15, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - There was magic in the air last night, December 11, at Sainte-Justine, with a record number of lights – 89,000 – burning bright on Sainte-Justine's Christmas Tree, as the seventh annual campaign drew to a close. A symbol of hope for all families struggling with a child's illness, this initiative was made possible by the exceptional generosity of donors to the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, as well as the Rythme FM listening audience and customers of Metro grocery stores, both proud campaign partners.

Véronique Cloutier took advantage of the live broadcast of Le Véro Show on Rythme FM to thank Quebecers for backing the campaign in such large numbers. "It's amazing to think that each of these lights represents a gift of love and encouragement for all the families who will be spending the holidays in the hospital. This year is particularly brilliant with 24,000 more lights up there than at the same time last year, which will provide an additional source of hope for the duration of the season."

Marie-Claude Bacon, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, for Metro Inc., also announced on the air the amount collected for the campaign through Metro's 207 stores in Quebec. "Metro is delighted to have teamed up for the first year with Sainte-Justine's Christmas Tree Campaign. Thanks to the big-heartedness of our customers from every corner of the province, we were able to raise $178,790 in checkout donations, which represent 35,758 lights on a tree that is the personification of seasonal comfort and joy," she said.

Generous partners
The financial contribution from Videotron made it possible for the enormous star atop the tree to glow, spreading wishes of hope and healing from all those who answered this call to action with caring and compassion. Place Ville Marie, also a campaign partner, joined forces with customers, stores and businesses to switch on 5,000 lights. Singer Garou also added 3,000 lights to the tree, through proceeds of the sale of his album Xmas Blues. And thanks also go out to Québecor, Motherforlife.com, Cogeco Métromédia, MAtv and Videotron, which invited subscribers to make a donation via their illico terminal on channel 900.

Extra lights will be available until December 31 at legrandsapin.org for $5 apiece. A portion of the proceeds will be directed to Sainte-Justine's social services to help families with sick children meet their most urgent needs. Sainte-Justine's priority initiatives will also be supported through these funds.

About the CHU Sainte‐Justine Foundation
The Foundation's mission is to engage the community and support CHU Sainte-Justine in its pursuit of excellence and its commitment to providing the children and mothers of today and tomorrow with one of the highest levels of healthcare in the world. www.fondation-sainte-justine.org 

For more information on Sainte-Justine's Christmas Tree Campaign, go to legrandsapin.org, follow us on Twitter (hashtag #legrandsapin), check out the Foundation's Facebook page or visit Rythme FM's website (rythmefm.com) or Facebook page.

 

SOURCE: Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation

Geneviève Lachance, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, 514-345-4931 ext. 5522 or 514-795-0980, [email protected]; Gaëlle Trébaol, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, 514-345-4931 ext. 3433 or 514-222-5626, [email protected]