Published January 27, 2010
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation raises $108,000 for school board
Laurier Foundation donors took a musical trip down memory lane – from the 1950s to the 1990s
By Martin C. Barry • TLN
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation board members
and fundraising Gala honorary
co-chairs Senator
Housakos and Patrick Mekhaël, director of
sales accounts for
Gaz Métro– proudly hold the
Gala’s net proceeds. The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation celebrated the fifth anniversary of its annual January fundraising gala earlier this month with a spectacular musically-themed trip through the history of rock and popular music, from the 1950s to the 1990s. Held at the Palace banquet hall on Le Corbusier Boulevard on January 14, the event attracted more than 500 people — the largest crowd ever to attend the gala.
A musical journey
A silent auction featured a range of art and sports celebrity collectors’ items. This year’s theme revolved around popular music through the decades, from the 1950s onwards. Musicians and dancers performed throughout the evening, much to all the guests’ delight.
Among the dignitaries seated at the head table were Quebec Leisure, Sport and Education Minister Michelle Courchesne, senators Leo Housakos and Claude Carignan, Mille-Îles Liberal MNA Francine Charbonneau, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board chairman Steve Bletas.
Topped expectations
Created in 2004, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation helps fund the acquisition of teaching aids and technological equipment that encourage students to continue their studies. Last year, the gala raised nearly $90,000 to pay for additional services and materials at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board schools. The final tally from this year’s event was $108,000. The honorary co-chairs of this year’s gala were Senator Housakos and Patrick Mekhaël, director of sales accounts for Gaz Métro.
Some of the projects to be funded by the foundation in 2010 include a social skills program to improve behaviour and socia integration of problem students, a First Aid camp, a course to teach students the basic skills to operate a small business, a pedagogical program for special needs adult students, a PEACE program to deal with relational aggression among girls in elementary school, the creation of an ‘artists in residence’ program, further development of an e-tech program, the creation of a student-centered science program, and the creation of a rugby team.
Ongoing success
“From one year to the other, I’m always amazed at the continued success of the foundation,” said Bletas. “Every year, the foundation raises the bar to a higher level. Looking back on these first five years, all I can add is that the sky is really the limit.” David Birnbaum, executive director of the Quebec English School Association, was master of ceremonies and delivered a steady stream of jokes, quips and repartee throughout the evening. In a speech, Gaz Métro’s Mekhaël noted the important relationship which exists between the education sector and business.
‘Great work’: Housakos
“I have seen first-hand the great work that this work has accomplished to support the multitude of programs and projects that are currently in place at this great school board,” said Senator Housakos, noting that he is a graduate of two schools under the SWLSB umbrella. “My experiences at Souvenir Elementary and at Chomedey High School have changed my life by making it possible for me to change my goals.
“I was inspired, I was challenged and I was motivated by both teachers and administrators who instilled in me the virtues of hard work and perseverance. This is only achieved through the hard work and dedication of so many at this board whose staff focuses so much not only on their students’ academic success, but their personal well-being, as well.”
