Centraide wants to pass the $60 million mark

Necessary funds to help some 500,000 needy people get a fresh start

MONTREAL, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Centraide of Greater Montreal today launched its annual fundraising campaign, once again setting a very ambitious goal: to raise $60 million by December 11. That's almost $2 million more than last year. This money will make it possible to provide essential support to some 500,000 vulnerable people who rely on Centraide's network of 370 agencies in Montreal, in Laval and on the South Shore.

The goal was announced at noon today in downtown Montreal on the occasion of Centraide's 21^st annual March of 1,000 Umbrellas. Thousands of people - employees and business leaders, volunteers, community agency representatives and people who are helped - took part in this great march of caring, holding up their umbrellas to symbolize the assistance that Centraide and its network of agencies provide to the neediest.

"The goal of this campaign is ambitious," acknowledged Lino A. Saputo, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Saputo, who is co-chairing the 2012 Centraide Campaign. "But it reflects the magnitude of social needs in Greater Montreal, where too many people are still excluded and living in poverty. We have to do everything possible to give them a chance to take charge of their lives."

"The donations made to Centraide are critically important to the community," emphasizes Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank, who is also co-chairing the campaign. "Those helped thanks to Centraide include families in crisis, young people who are about to drop out of school or drift into delinquency, children who need to get a good start in life, newcomers who need to be oriented, and isolated shut-ins."

"Year after year, donors place their confidence in Centraide to redistribute their donations where needs are most pressing," explained Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal. "We invest these donations for maximum impact in the neighbourhoods. In the end the whole community benefits, because by improving the circumstances of our neediest fellow citizens, we uplift the quality of life for Greater Montreal as a whole."

During its campaign, some 23,000 volunteers will solicit donations for Centraide. As well, some 600 awareness activities and workplace presentations by community agency representatives will be organized. On the media front, Centraide has a new advertising campaign developed by Publicis under the inspirational theme "Donating is uplifting". The ads illustrate the diversity of Centraide's donors and of the volunteers involved in its network, whose acts of generosity enable thousands of vulnerable people to get a fresh start. Centraide will benefit from the support of the major radio, television and display advertising networks in conveying these messages.

People in the workplace are encouraged to give generously through payroll deduction. Anyone wishing to make a donation can also do so by visiting Centraide of Greater Montreal's website at www.centraide-mtl.org.

About Centraide

One person in six lives in poverty in Greater Montreal. An equal proportion of children grow up in a poor family. Because poverty reduces the chances of a brighter future, Centraide of Greater Montreal calls on the generosity and volunteer involvement of thousands of citizens to fund 370 agencies and projects that in turn help and support half a million vulnerable people in our community.

There are 18 autonomous Centraides in Quebec, each managed by an independent board of directors that is representative of the community it serves

SOURCE: CENTRAIDE OF GREATER MONTREAL

For further information:

Annick Gagnon, Public Relations Coordinator 
514 288-1261, ext. 242 
[email protected] 
www.centraide-mtl.org

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