Montrealalouettes.com
Montreal – The Alouettes Foundation was created through the initiative of Mark Weightman, President and CEO of the club, based upon the constant desire of the organization to reinforce its presence in the community.
Since the team’s return to Montreal in 1996, the Alouettes have been involved with youth by supporting several programs to fight the school dropout rate. These efforts will continue and will intensify with the creation of the Alouettes Foundation to be headed by Annie Larouche who has been with the organization since 1996, and has held several positions within the club as well as managing all aspects of the Montreal Alouettes cheerleaders. Active in the community, she is also involved in the Alouettes Alumni Association by coordinating its activities.
Mission of the Foundation
The mission of the Alouettes Foundation is to promote education by working to reduce the dropout rate among adolescents and young adults, and to encourage the development of amateur football in Quebec.
“Community involvement is an integral part of our DNA. It is with a tremendous sense of pride and honour that I launch the Alouettes Foundation today. By our actions, our presence and our financial support, we are pleased with the contribution of our Foundation to develop youth both in classrooms and on the football field,” said Alouettes President and CEO, Mark Weightman.
In the coming months and years, the Foundation will ensure further implementation and development of the Alouettes “Together at School” program, as well as granting financial support and material foundation to projects, programs and events that primarily support education and amateur football in Quebec.
The Foundation will also count on the support and active participation of the Alouettes Alumni Association. “Our involvement is a natural for us. As an organization, the Alumni Association has always been passionate about the cause of young people and we are proud to contribute to the expansion of the Alouettes Foundation. I am convinced that tomorrow’s leaders will benefit from this combination of forces,” added the president of the Alouettes Alumni Association, Éric Lapointe.
NEW: “50/50 (Half and Half)”at McGill’s Stadium!
Among the Foundation’s initiatives to raise funds, the team will launch a new feature for the upcoming season, “50/50 (Half and Half)”. The money raised through this initiative (supported by BUMP50:50) will support the Foundation’s programs. “50/50 (Half and Half)” will kick-off with the first game at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on June 18 and will continue at all Alouettes home games.
The Alouettes will hold their annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 21 at St-Raphael Golf Club. Event proceeds will go to the Alouettes Foundation. Those wishing to register can do so by contacting Vanessa Canito at (514) 787-2764 or by email atvcanito@montrealalouettes.com
“The Great Montreal Ribfest,” to be held at the Old Port from June 27 to July 1, will also donate 50¢ for each rack of ribs sold at the event.
“Together at School” with the Alouettes
“Together at School” is a community outreach program supporting elementary and high school students in the greater Montreal area. The Alouettes have been active in Montreal schools since 1998.
Alouettes players visit an average of 100 schools each year, reaching out to over 60,000 students at both the elementary and high school levels.
Alouettes players involved in the program for 2015 include: Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, John Bowman, Martin Bédard, Josh Bourke, Éric Deslauriers, Kristian Matte, Kyries Hebert and Nicolas Boulay.
Players taking part must first undergo 32 hours of training from specialists in the fields of mentoring and counseling in order to be best equipped to help the students.
New to the program since 2013 is a French language component where the players will receive French lessons in order to further interact with the children they will be visiting.
