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On the Society’s News Wire
Canada Ratifies United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
On March 11th, 2010, the Government of Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the United Nations. Canada pledged to be governed by the CRPD, the newest international human rights treaty which boldly articulates a human rights framework for addressing the exclusion and lack of access people with disabilities have encountered in Canada and in all societies. The dream of a more inclusive and accessible Canada motivated Canadians with disabilities and the Government of Canada to engage in a five year process to create the CRPD. Therefore, the Government of Canada demonstrated a steadfast commitment to a CRPD that is built upon Canadian values of equality, non-discrimination and the duty to accommodate.
Guiding Principles of the Convention
1. Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons;
2. Non-discrimination;
3. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;
4. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity;
5. Equality of opportunity;
6. Accessibility;
7. Equality between men and women;
8. Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and;
9. Respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.
Garderie Papillon creates a Green Lane
.jpg) According to the Éco-quartier Peter-McGill, one of the best summer 2009 Green Lane projects was piloted by a citizens committee in partnership with the Quebec Society for Disabled Children. For this project, the Society obtained a grant from Shell’s Environment Fund and from the City of Montreal. Hence, the children and the educators of the Society were involved in the initial phase of making a greener lane in the western section of Hawarden Avenue, located directly beside the railroad tracks and the Ville Marie Autoroute.
The Hawarden Green Lane now has two new community composting sites. One site serves the residents and the other was created for the Quebec Society for Disabled Children. The educators, the children, and the kitchen staff bring their organic matters directly to the composting site therefore providing an excellent opportunity of environmental education for young children.
Éco-quartier is an environmental action and initiative program created in 1995 by the City of Montreal in order to give Montrealers in general a sense of environmental responsibility and to inspire them to improve the quality of their living conditions, as well as reducing the impact of their way of life on the environment.
$41,000 raised in annual Kuper Academy Walkathon
.jpg) Proud partner of the Quebec Society for Disabled Children, Kuper Academy held, last October, another edition of its great March of Solidarity, an annual event that achieved astounding results. Indeed, inspired by the community spirit of the Head of School, Mrs. Joan Salette, and Vice-Principal, Mr. Eric Casarotto, the students of this West Island school raised $40,938 for the Society.
The commitment of the students of Kuper Academy is not limited to this one day, as exceptional as it may be. Indeed, every year in May, the Academy mobilizes an impressive delegation of students to take part in the Papillon Work Bee, this great construction site of love and solidarity that brings together every year some 500 volunteers at Camp Papillon.
Over the past five years, Kuper Academy’s annual Walkathon has raised more than $100,000 in favour of the Quebec Society for Disabled Children.
Take advantage of leisure winter weekends at Camp Papillon
Until the month of April 2010, Camp Papillon will host weekends of winter activities for children, and young adults. In doing so, it will also offer parents a splendid opportunity to fully take advantage of excellent respite services for the remaining weekends of the current the school year.
Camp Papillon services, in the framework of its leisure weekends, include lodging, meals, snacks, bedding, medical services, transportation and, of course, a program of activities designed by a team of seasoned counsellors. Red cheeks guaranteed and hot chocolate as a bonus!
You can register by downloading and returning our leisure weekends leaflet.
 For children and youngsters 2 to 17 years old, Camp Papillon will host two leisure weekends every month until April 9th, 2010. Adults 18 to 30 years old will also be able to take advantage of leisure weekends once a month in December, January, February and March.
To register or to receive further details concerning the program, please contact immediatly, by e-mail, Carole Guérin or by telephone at 514 937-6171, ext. 223 or 1 877 937-6171, ext 223.
Fifty-eight superheroes jump over the edge for the children
.JPG) The Drop Zone was held on Tuesday, September 22nd, on the front side of 1010 Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, a 26-story building where 58 bold adventurers rappelled down to raise funds for disabled children.
This event unique in Quebec exceeded its objective, raising $95,000, a sum which will be dedicated to welcoming 60 disabled children at Camp Papillon next summer.
Louise Cloutier from the Royal Bank of Canada lead the race for the title of best subscriber throughout the fundraising campaign that preceded the Drop Zone until she was robbed of the title by the unstoppable Alain Guérin in a fierce final sprint. Louise and Alain single-handedly raised $15,500.
Every day of the year, in Quebec, more than 76,000 disabled children and their families must face many challenges. Last September 22nd, fifty-eight Drop Zone participants rose to meet their own challenges. On this special day, these “superheroes” gave them the courage they need to persevere with the support of Easter Seals Quebec, and to live a happy life.
(Photo : Gilles Corbeil)
A fabulous 1st edition of the Louis Coutu Golf Classic
Over the past five years, Louis Coutu was able to rally great donors around a cause to which he has dedicated himself wholeheartedly. In recognition of the admirable work he accomplished, the Society’s annual golf tournament was held this year under the name of Louis Coutu Golf Classic of the Quebec Society for Disabled Children. The honorary chairperson of this very first edition of the Classic was entrusted to the President of the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation, Mrs. Marie-Josée Coutu.
.jpg) The event was a resounding success with the presentation of a cheque for $200,000 to the president and to the executive director of the Society, Marc Rousseau and Ronald Davidson, accompanied by André-Philippe Gagnon, the evening show’s star attraction.
Mrs. Marie-Josée Coutu was assisted in her functions by Diane Zdunowski and Carolle Desjardins.
(Photo : Gilles Corbeil)
Inauguration of the new Lions Chalet
.jpg) A brand new Lion was inaugurated at Camp Papillon. The pavilion which was built in 1960, was torn down in the Spring of 2008 and the reconstruction work started last Fall.
Over the past five decades, the Lion served many purposes. First it was used as a cafeteria, then as an administration pavilion, and finally as a dormitory for the campers.
Throughout the years, a succession of campers and groups, harsh winters, and heavy rainfalls finally got the better of the building. In 2006, Mr. Christian Arbour, Chairman of the Board of administration of the Lions Club of Joliette, put forward the challenge of giving the Old Lion a facelift. However, after the very first inspection of the building, it was decided to rebuild instead of renovating.
 The project was made possible thanks to the contribution of generous donors and to the participation of many volunteers. As of 2008, the Lions Club of Joliette worked relentlessly in cooperation with the International Lions Family. Together, with the help of Mr. Fernand Normand and Mr. Gilles Melançon, they raised the amount of $125,000 to fund the project which required a total investment of $400,000 in labour and materials.
The new Lions Joliette Chalet can lodge over 24 people all year round. Thanks to the adapted layout of the building, all campers will be able to benefit from the chalet, whatever their disability.
McHappy Day raises $25,500 for the Society
Among the 1,400 McDonald's Restaurants from one end of the country to the other who took part in the McHappy Day last May, there are three in particular that the Quebec Society for Disabled Children holds in high regard: those of the boroughs of Pierrefonds, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and St-Laurent, owned and operated by Gail and Frédéric Cassir. Indeed, for many years now, the Cassir couple has been committed to the Society and has displayed exemplary generosity towards the cause of children with disabilities.
.jpg) Last May 6th, McDonald's Restaurants in Pierrefonds, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and St-Laurent, their employees and dozens of volunteers who dedicated a whole day to this event, rallied around Fred and Gail’s community spirit and their ambition to make the 2009 edition of the McHappy Day an unequalled success. Personalities such as Yvan Cournoyer, Yvon Lambert, Anthony Cavillo and Bryan Chiu were also pleased to pay tribute to the Cassir couple on this special day. The excitement reached its peak when Ric Peterson from CJAD arrived at McDonald's Restaurant in Dollard-des-Ormeaux to host his daily broadcast.
A total sum of $25,503 was donated by Fred Cassir (centre) to the Executive Director of the Quebec Society for Disabled Children, Ronald Davidson, and to the Fundraising Director, Carolle Desjardins.
Marc Rousseau elected President of the Society
.gif) Marc Rousseau is now, since the general annual meeting of June 17th, the 32nd president of the Quebec Society for Disabled Children. He succeeded to Mr. Alain Picard who, at the end of his five-year mandate, will now assume the role of Immediate Past President of the organization.
Active at the Society since 2003, Mr. Marc Rousseau occupied the positions of Administrator, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, and Vice-President of the Society. He was also the architect of the Drop Zone in Montreal assuming, as of 2005, the leadership of the Organizing Committee of this unique fundraising activity.
Marc Rousseau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economy and Finance from Concordia University. Over the years, he has accumulated fifteen years of experience in management and finance and more than 20 years in planning. He is presently associated with LVR Capital, a financial consulting firm.
An active member of the first reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces since 1981, Marc holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He assumed command of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal Regiment from 1996 to 1999, and was Team Leader – Policy and Planning - at the NATO general headquarters in Sarajevo.
Finally, in February 2008, Marc Rousseau became a member of the Board of Administration of the National Film Board of Canada.
Customized Memories thanks to Book Of Dreams
The Quebec Society for Disabled Children is offering a new free software, Book Of Dreams, which will enable everyone to create customized photo albums and more.
 A new way of preserving your most cherished memories, Book of Dreams gives you access to a wide range of highly customizable photo products such as classic photo albums, calendars, greeting cards and photoflips.
Whether you had a photo album in mind or just a greeting card, now you can turn your ideas into reality.
REGISTER TODAY
For every article you order through Book of Dreams, part of the profits will go directly to the Quebec Society for Disabled Children, who has endeavored for the past 78 years to meet the growing needs of disabled children across Québec.
Share your memories. Share your dreams. Because, just like butterflies, memories can fly away...
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A special Charity for special kids
The Quebec Society for Disabled Children wishes to pay tribute to the President's Choice  Children's Charity for its exceptionnal support and significant presence in the lives of families who must cope with their children's special needs. The Charity's aim is to help families who have a child living with a physical or intellectual disability. Committed to making their daily lives a little easier, it provides direct financial assistance for mobility equipment, environmental modifications, expensive physiotherapy, and more.
Families can apply for financial assistance by clicking here. |
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