2014 Centraide Cup: the Montreal Impact and its foundation partner with Centraide to improve the well-being of youth for the 3rd year in a row

The soccer tournament will take place on September 6 and 7 at Stade Saputo

MONTREAL, June 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Centraide of Greater Montreal and the Montreal Impact Foundation announced on Monday that they were partnering once again to organize the third annual Centraide Cup, to be held on September 6 and 7 in the Stade Saputo. All proceeds from this soccer tournament will be used to support agencies that work with at-risk youth in Greater Montreal.

The two partners made the announcement at the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve YMCA in the presence of Impact team captain Patrice Bernier and players Wandrille Lefèvre, Maxim Tissot, Hassoun Camara, Troy Perkins and Evan Bush, who marked the occasion by participating in a friendly soccer game with young people from Maison de Jonathan, a Centraide-supported agency that helps dropouts aged 12 to 17 on the South Shore.

Competing for the coveted Centraide Cup will be some thirty teams made up of employees from companies in the Greater Montreal area. This unique tournament gives amateur soccer players the opportunity to play on one of the most prestigious major league soccer fields. They will be combining fun with community building, because the $15,000 registration fee will go to support or develop effective social programs, especially to prevent school dropout and improve the quality of life for youth and families in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

A novelty on the 2014 Centraide Cup program will be the Celebrity Match between two teams of personalities from the worlds of sports, entertainment and media, as well as young participants in agencies supported by Centraide. The Centraide Cup will also be an opportunity for families to partake in a great soccer festival, because Stade Saputo will be open free of charge to the general public all weekend, and offer animation and inflatable games to keep the kids entertained.

"One in five Montreal youth lives in poverty," said Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal. "In all, that means 140,000 young people under 18 years of age are in need of support. These youth could fill Saputo stadium six times over. They are counting on us. That's why we are launching an invitation today, asking all companies that want to promote a spirit of caring and sportsmanship among their employees to enter a team."

"With the start of the World Cup soccer tournament only three days away, we are pleased to associate our foundation with this unique sports competition, which contributes to promoting the development of young people, preventing school dropout and supporting disadvantaged families," added Joey Saputo, President of the Montreal Impact and Honorary Patron of the Montreal Impact Foundation. "This event once again reaffirms our commitment to giving back to our community."

Launched in 2012, the Centraide Cup has raised over $640,000 to date.

How to participate in the Centraide Cup
Companies wishing to register a team with the 2014 Centraide Cup can contact Hector Goyeneche of Centraide, by telephone at 514 288-1261, extension 242, or by email at [e-mail]. Members of participating teams can help to raise funds for the registration fee using an online fundraising tool. For more information, go to http://www.centraide-mtl.org/en/evenements/evenements-de-collecte-de-fonds/coupe-centraide-2014/ or email [e-mail]. The registration period ends on July 31.

About the Montreal Impact Foundation
The mission of the Montreal Impact Foundation is to organize and support activities for the advancement, education and improved quality of life of impoverished children and their families. The Foundation's logo was created with its mission in mind: the child-like writing represents the reason for its existence, the children, while the heart symbolizes the energy and love needed to give them hope.

About Centraide
Centraide of Greater Montreal is an independent organization managed by a board of directors that is representative of the community. It serves the Island of Montreal, Laval and communities on the South Shore, supporting 362 community agencies and projects that help half a million vulnerable people. Centraide relies on a network of some 57,000 volunteers, 23,000 of whom work on its annual campaign. It is supported by some 1,500 private and public sector companies and organizations as well as by large trade unions. Centraide's major public fundraising campaign for 2014 will be launched officially on October 2 with the 23^rd annual March of 1,000 Umbrellas through downtown Montreal.

SOURCE: Centraide of Greater Montreal

For further information: Annick Gagnon, Centraide of Greater Montreal, 514 288-1261, ext. 242, [e-mail]; Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact, 514 328-3668, ext. 227, [e-mail]