The "Guignolée du Dr Julien" will be held in Côte-des-Neiges for the second year running

MONTREAL, Dec. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Organized in collaboration with Villa Sainte-Marcelline and Librairie Olivieri, the "Guignolée du Dr Julien" will take place for the second year running in the Côte-des-Neiges district on December 18, between 9 am and 3 pm in front of the Centre de services préventifs à l'enfance (CSPE) located at 6555 Côte-des-Neiges, and in front of Librairie Olivieri, at 5219 Côte-des-Neiges (corner  Jean-Brillant).  The purpose is to raise funds to support the activities aimed at the children attending Dr Julien's community-based social pediatrics center (CSPE).

Stakeholders, parents, friends, volunteers, artists and media personalities will all join around a common cause: children. The public is invited to take part in this festive event and thus to contribute to the social pediatrics movement, which helps the most vulnerable children. Throughout the day, the public will be invited to visit the Centre de services préventifs à l'enfance (CSPE) in Côte-des-Neiges.

The resources of a neighborhood

In keeping with the social pediatrics approach which relies on the resources and energy of a community, the Guignolée du Dr Julien in Côte-des-Neiges was made possible thanks to the commitment of both the Villa Sainte-Marcelline school and Librairie Olivieri. "The support we receive from the Marcellines and the Librairie was a crucial first step for us. I am confident that the Guignolée will soon come to be seen as a major festive neighborhood event where all the community stakeholders will come together" said Marie-Agnès Lebreton,  director general of the CSPE.

For Olivieri, this partnership comes naturally. "Our cultural mission is fully realized if it can be associated with local social initiatives. Therefore we are proud of our partnership with the Guignolée. The work carried out by Dr Julien and his teams is exceptional and is a source of inspiration for all of us." It also seemed fitting to invite authors to take part in this special event. Olivieri is therefore proud to announce that Dany Laferrière will be present. The winners of the Governor General's Awards for the Non-fiction and Drama categories, Michel Lavoie and David Paquet will also lend a hand as will the winners of the Governor General's Award for children's literature  Élise Turcotte (text) and Daniel Sylvestre, (illustration), and two up-and-coming authors, Nicolas Bertrand and Perrine Leblanc, winner of the Montreal Grand Prix du Livre in 2010. They have all enthusiastically agreed to get involved, knowing the importance of this cause.

The Villa Sainte-Marcelline school is also a proud supporter of the Guignolée 2010 ! "We are delighted to be part of this event to help social pediatrics. Our involvement in the organization of the Guignolée has allowed us to build a solid partnership with the CSPE team. We have met competent and fully committed individuals who share our passion for the well-being of children" declared Sr Mathilde Fantone, head of the Villa Sainte-Marcelline.school. 

Donations that really make a difference

A financial donation will help Dr Julien's Foundation continue its activities and offer, year-round, a wide range of clinical services to meet the global needs of children, including art therapy, support meetings for parents with 0 to 18 month-old infants and toddlers, stimulation workshops for preschoolers and 6 to 14 year-old children and various activities such as summer camps, theater classes, music lessons, sports and cultural activities, shows, etc.

New toys, educational games, arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, children's clothing, tickets to cultural or sporting events can also be donated and will be greatly appreciated. These will be given as gifts to the children and families supported by the social pediatrics centers.

To find out more about the "Guignolée du Dr Julien" and social pediatrics or to make an online donation go to www.fondationdrjulien.org

Information - Interview requests

* Marie-Agnès Lebreton for the Centre de services préventifs à l'enfance: 514-341-2220, extension 223. 

* Sylvain Arsenault for Villa Sainte-Marcelline : 514-235-8443

* Rina Olivieri for Librairie Olivieri: 514-739-3639