- Jici Lauzon, spokesperson for Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire du
    QuébecMONTREAL, June 9 /CNW/ - With the best of intentions at heart - and his
legendary smile - Jici Lauzon, spokesperson for Fondation Bon départ de
Canadian Tire du Québec, will be shooting hoops during "Un don en passant,"
the Foundation's weekend fundraiser that allows 472 young people from families
in need from all over Quebec to attend summer camp at the Perce Neige outdoor
recreational area.
    Over the weekend of June 13 and 14, Jici and his teammates throughout
Quebec will invite store customers to take three shots at the basket in return
for a $2 donation to be added to the "Un don en passant" kitty. "The Jici
Challenge is an easy way to donate to a good cause and have fun at the same
time," said Jici. "There's nothing I wouldn't do to see a kid smile. When I
visit them at Perce-Neige, I see stars in their eyes - and often those eyes
have already seen much beyond their years. It's up to us to help them see the
good things in life, too."
    The weekend's action-packed program will see participating Canadian Tire
stores welcoming customers in a community festival atmosphere. Along with the
Jici Challenge, there will be instore activities, music, carwashes, prize
draws, hotdogs and foundation items for sale, and much more going on outside!
Canadian Tire's 94 Associate Dealers, 6,800 employees, their families, and
scores of volunteers will be on hand to make the event a success.
    "I truly think that generosity is a genetic trait among Quebecers! We
acknowledge and thank the people of Quebec from the bottom of our hearts. Last
year, we took in nearly $225,000 during the weekend of 'Un don en passant' and
we hope to do as well this year despite the difficult economic climate," said
Michel Choinière, President of Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire du
Québec. He noted that part of the funds raised will be used this summer to
send 472 underprivileged children ages 8 to 15 from all across Quebec to the
Perce Neige outdoor recreational area, which is owned by the Foundation.

    About Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire du Québec

    Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire du Québec - originally known as
Fondation Canadian Tire du Québec - was created in 1990 at the initiative of
Canadian Tire Dealers in Quebec to improve the quality of life and well-being
of families in need through financial contributions to registered charities.
Following a long tradition of helping local communities served by Canadian
Tire stores, Associate Dealers and their many employees work together to raise
money every year. Since its inception, the foundation has donated over $5
million to more than 400 organizations throughout Quebec.

    Perce Neige Outdoor Recreational Area

    In May 2000, the foundation purchased the Perce Neige outdoor
recreational area in Wentworth-Nord some 30 km north of Lachute in the
Laurentians. The vast recreational area includes a number of buildings able to
accommodate up to 175 guests per week and features paths, parks, a beach, and
wharves. The area has welcomed over 2,500 disabled guests over the past 30
years, allowing them to enjoy a beautiful natural location. Various services
are available all year round: group accommodation, respite care, daycamps,
nature classes, and summer and winter sports. The foundation seeks to stay
true to the recreational area's No. 1 ongoing mission, while adding new
features for young people and families. A youth camping program was put in
place in summer 2001 to welcome 472 boys and girls aged 8 to 15 from all over
Quebec each summer.
    Since the foundation acquired Perce Neige outdoor recreational area in
the Laurentians, it has invested over $2 million in improving facilities to
provide a wide variety of children's games and activities.

    Canadian Tire JumpStart Program

    One of the foundation's two key initiatives (the other being the Perce
Neige outdoor recreational area), Canadian Tire's JumpStart program is
administered locally by 279 chapters across Canada. These chapters are made up
of Canadian Tire Dealers and community partners, which identify kids who could
benefit from the program. In Quebec, 62 local chapters work closely with
various organizations, including Québec en forme, URLS, local community health
centers, Maison de la famille, and community centers to ensure that funds from
the Canadian Tire JumpStart program are given to kids most in need. Some
39,250 kids from Quebec have had an opportunity to play an organized sport
since the program was set up in 2005 for a total investment of $3,574,000.