Share the Warmth and Marc Bergevin Invite Montrealers to Partageons la puck, a Fundraising Hockey Game to Support Local Youth
Montréal, Friday, November 11, 2016 – Share the Warmth and Montréal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin are launching the first edition of Partageons la puck, a hockey fundraising event that will help youth in Bergevin’s childhood neighbourhood of Point Saint-Charles. The two teams, coached by Bergevin and hockey legend Guy Lafleur, will face off at the Saint-Charles Arena (1055 Hibernia, Montréal) on Saturday, November 12 at noon.
“I am proud to act as Share the Warmth’s ambassador, and to participate in fundraising events like Partageons la puck,” said Bergevin. “It is part of my commitment to help the organization achieve our fundraising goal, and to promote the great work we do in Point Saint-Charles and beyond.”
This event is part of a full program of activities that runs throughout the weekend and aims to increase the organization’s visibility and raise awareness of how poverty affects youth in the neighbourhood. But for Bergevin, the goal is simple: “I get to share my love of hockey with Montrealers, coach alongside legend Guy Lafleur, which is a great honour, all to help the community I grew up in and love.”
According to Centraide Montréal, the school dropout rate for the borough was 51 per cent in 2014. Share the Warmth’s programs, including music, tutoring, school supplies, and school food, allow young people to receive the support they would not otherwise get.
The weekend kicks off with the launch of a calendar by South-West pubs to benefit Share the Warmth. The launch will take place at Lord William Pub (265 rue des Seigneurs, Montréal) on Friday, November 11, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. On November 12, a children’s street hockey game will be held at 10:00 a.m. outside the Saint-Charles Arena (1055 Hibernia, Montréal) before the adults take the ice at noon. These matches will be followed by a dance at Share the Warmth starting at 8:00 p.m. Finally, on November 13, starting at 3:00 p.m., Chez Dallaire Pub (2035 Wellington, Montréal) will close the weekend activities and silent auction. According to Share the Warmth’s Executive Director Fiona Crossling, this fun-filled weekend aims to bring together all members of the community which is why prices vary significantly. “Tickets for the dance are $20, the children’s street hockey game is free, while admission to watch the Partageons la puck hockey game is by voluntary donation. The adult players, for their part, must commit to raising $250 for the organization to play in the hockey game.”
Since its founding in 1989, Share the Warmth has been awakening hopes and dreams through excellence in programming aimed at the overall development and success of youth, access to healthy food, and work training. Share the Warmth offers support programs to residents of the Sud-Ouest and Verdun boroughs, including a food bank, which helps 1,400 people every month, 430 of which are children.
For more information on Share the Warmth or to view Marc Bergevin’s video, please visit our website at www.sharethewarmth.ca
