Some downtown streets will be closed on October 1, 2009

MONTREAL , Sept. 29 /CNW Telbec/ - On Thursday, October 1 , part of the downtown area will be closed to traffic on account of Centraide's March of 1,000 Umbrellas to launch Centraide of Greater Montreal's 2009 campaign.

Between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. , McGill College Avenue (west side) will be closed to traffic between President Kennedy Avenue and Ste. Catherine Street West.

Ste. Catherine Street West will be closed to traffic from McGill College Avenue to St. Urbain Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Centraide's March of 1,000 Umbrellas will bring together 20,000 marchers to kick off its annual fundraising campaign, which will run from October 1 to December 15, 2009 . The marchers will hold up their umbrellas to symbolize the protection that our society's most vulnerable need in these difficult times.

Many personalities along with volunteers, business leaders and representatives from community agencies, the public sector and labour unions will participate in this major event to promote mutual aid. Residents of the Greater Montreal area are invited to join us to show their support for the less fortunate.

Participants will begin assembling at 11:30 a.m. on McGill College Avenue (at the corner of Ste. Catherine). The march will begin at 12:00 noon and proceed to Complexe Desjardins for the unveiling of Centraide's 2009 campaign goal.

Centraide's network includes 360 community agencies that help 500,000 people in difficulty who live on the island of Montreal , in Laval and on the South Shore.

For further information: Annick Gagnon, Centraide of Greater Montreal, [phone], ext. 242, cell. [phone], [email protected]; www.centraide-mtl.org