A Gaz Métro initiative gifting culture to kids at Montreal's children's hospitals and schools in disadvantaged areas
MONTREAL, Dec. 11, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Tournée des Contes de Noël bleus is stopping in at the CHU Sainte-Justine today to present an amusing Christmas show for children staying at the hospital. Gaz Métro's tour features approximately ten shows put on at the Montreal Children's Hospital, the CHU Sainte-Justine, and four primary schools in the Centre-Sud district. The goal of the initiative is to provide enjoyable entertainment to children in need of some fun, and at the same time promote reading and Quebec literature.
This project was first launched in 1997 when Sophie Brochu, now President and chief officer of Gaz Métro, and comedian Michèle Sirois wanted to provide a Christmas activity to kids in the Centre-Sud area. In the last two years, the tour has also extended to children in some Montreal pediatric hospitals.
This year, two Christmas stories taken from Quebec's repertoire of children's literature were selected and staged by Marie-Chantal Renaud of Productions Vendredi 16. "Le cadeau oublié" by Angèle Delaunois (Bayard Canada) and "Le sapin ma…a…gique" by Andrée-Anne Gratton (Éditions Pierre Tisseyre) will come to life thanks to comedians Michèle Sirois, Marie-Chantal Renaud, Guillaume Paquet and Normand Poirier.
The gift of culture
"As part of our Community Investment Policy, we encourage projects that promote cultural development among children, just as we do student retention," said Stéphanie Trudeau, Vice-President, Strategy, Communication and Sustainability, at the utility. The Productions Vendredi 16 initiative reflects this goal by offering a Christmas activity that fosters an interest in reading.
For a second consecutive year, children's books made available through donations from some 30 partners (publishing houses, authors, distributors, libraries) will also be handed out to teachers at the school shows with a view to enabling children to read on their own throughout the year.
Gaz Métro's community involvement
Every year, Gaz Métro donates approximately 1% of its net earnings to support non-profit organizations. To learn about Gaz Métro's social commitment and its Community Investment Policy, visit www.gazmetro.com/donations.
Overview of Gaz Métro
With more than $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its network of over 10,000 km of underground pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 190,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to meet the needs of more than 305,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, promising energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane. Gaz Métro is a major energy sector player who takes the lead in responding to the needs of its customers, regions and municipalities, local organizations, and communities while also satisfying the expectations of its Partners (GMi and Valener) and employees. www.gazmetro.com
SOURCE: Gaz Métro
Media
Julie Assaly-Gauthier
Public Affairs
514 598-3449
www.twitter.com/gazmetro
www.gazmetro.com/pressroom
Photos, videos (b-roll) and logos are available in Gaz Métro's Multimedia library.
Share this article