First-ever Centraide Cup - Charity soccer tournament raises $250,000

MONTREAL, Sept. 29, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - A group of 400 amateur athletes from 25 Montreal companies take to the field today at Stade Saputo for the very first Centraide Cup, a charity soccer tournament to raise money to fight poverty. The competition, which will take place throughout the day, has raised $250,000 for Centraide's cause and the 370 community agencies in its network, which help 500,000 vulnerable people in Montreal, in Laval and on the South Shore.

The tournament, which promises to be full of excitement, was organized by Centraide's NextGen Committee, a committee of volunteers chaired by Éric Lamoureux, Managing Director, Public Affairs Advisors, in collaboration with the Montreal Impact.

The participating companies include Aon Hewitt, Laurentian Bank, National Bank, Scotia Bank, BMO Financial Group, Bombardier, CIBC, Desjardins, Dessau, Ferreira Café, SNC-Lavalin, Hydro-Québec, Industrielle Alliance, Intact Insurance, The Jean Coutu Group, Pharmascience, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Québecor/TVA Sports, RBC Royal Bank, Rolls-Royce Canada, Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche, Saputo, Sobeys, Standard Life and TD Canada Trust. The winning team of the coveted Centraide Cup will be crowned after the early-evening final.

"Seeing all of these organizations lend us their support—and their employees donate their time and energy for Centraide's cause—is highly inspiring and very encouraging for our upcoming fundraising campaign," stated Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal. "I would like to thank all of the organizations that made this first edition of the Centraide Cup a success on all fronts, along with the Montreal Impact for its valuable contribution."

The proceeds from this event will go towards Centraide Campaign 2012, which will officially kick off on October 3 with Centraide's March of 1,000 Umbrellas, during which 20,000 people are expected to fill the streets of downtown Montreal. The theme of this year's campaign is "Donating is uplifting."

About the Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact is the city's professional soccer team. The club came to be in 1993 and now has four teams under its umbrella (pros, Under-21, Under-18 and Under-16), as well as its own sport-etudes program. In second division, the club has won three playoff championships (1994, 2004 and 2009), five regular season titles (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006), one Canadian Championship (2008) and took part in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. The Impact has since joined the most prestigious league in North America: Major League Soccer. 

About Centraide of Greater Montreal

Centraide of Greater Montreal is an independent organization managed by a board of directors that is representative of the community. Over half a million disadvantaged people receive help and comfort on a daily basis from the 370 community agencies and projects supported by Centraide. Its vast network includes over 80,000 volunteers, including 57,000 in the community sector. For more information about Centraide of Greater Montreal or to make a donation: www.centraide-mtl.org.

SOURCE: CENTRAIDE OF GREATER MONTREAL

For further information:

Annick Gagnon       
Phone: [phone], extension 242     
Cell: 514-705-7350       
[e-mail]               

René Bouffard
Phone: [phone], extension 237
Cell: 514-816-6794
[e-mail]

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