Montréal, April 5, 2011 – Today, thanks to the generosity of Quebeckers, Opération Enfant Soleil has given more than $6,747,050 to the Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the CHU Sainte-Justine, as well as to 11 organizations across the administrative region of Montréal.
It was with great pleasure that Michel Pauzé, Vice-Chairman of Opération Enfant Soleil’s board of directors, gave $3,302,430 to Dr. Marc Girard, Director of Medical and Academic Affairs of the CHU Sainte-Justine. This amount will complete the funding of Opération Enfant Soleil’s
3-Tesla, an extremely precise magnetic resonance imaging scanner that will be inaugurated on May 10. In addition, this grant will be invested for the acquisition of new technologies to administer medication to children in a more personalized way, thereby contributing to constantly improving the quality and precision of the care they receive.
Mr. Pauzé also presented Dr. Harvey J. Guyda, Associate Executive Director of The Montreal Children’s Hospital, with $3,355,674. This amount is in addition to the funds that Opération Enfant Soleil has provided last year for an emergency room in the new hospital, which is under construction on the Glen site and will open in 2014. Opération Enfant Soleil’s financial commitment for this project totals 10 million dollars.
Every year, the Opération Enfant Soleil team travels across Quebec to distribute more than 85 grants to hospitals and organizations. The 11 organizations in the region that received grants from Opération Enfant Soleil include The Lighthouse Children and Families, the Centre de répit Philou and the MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre.
The public is invited to participate in Opération Enfant Soleil’s 24th telethon, on June 4 and 5 at ExpoCité’s Pavillon de la Jeunesse in Québec. The event will be broadcast live for 25 consecutive hours on the French-language channel TVA.
About Opération Enfant Soleil
Opération Enfant Soleil is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1988. Its mission is to support the development of high-quality paediatrics and to contribute to social health projects for all the children in Quebec.
With its financial contributions, Opération Enfant Soleil helps acquire the latest technology in order to provide sick children with the best possible care. In addition, it enhances the quality of life of hospitalized children by offering them recovery-promoting environments. Opération Enfant Soleil’s activities across the province are supported each year by thousands of volunteers, collaborators and partners. -30-
Source:
Anne Hudon, Director of Communications and Public Relations
Opération Enfant Soleil
Mobile: 418-806-8017
Office: 418-683-3637, ext. 102
www.operationenfantsoleil.ca
Details of grants awarded to organizations
Alex Perron, Anick Dumontet, Isabelle Cyr and Josée Lavigueur, from the Opération Enfant Soleil animation team, delivered $88,946 to 11 regional organizations working in the areas of social, physical and mental health.
Opération Enfant Soleil Funds
The Lighthouse Children and Families offers free help and support to parents who have a child suffering from a degenerative disease that requires complex care. This organization received $24,630 for the acquisition and implementation of a telecommunication and telemetry system that will ensure children monitoring and rapid response. To date, this organization has received $154,750 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
Le Centre de répit Philou welcomes heavily disabled children of up to 12 years of age for periods that can vary from one day to three weeks at a time. The organization received $21,600 to build a play area that will have an adapted surface and specialized equipment such as a swing and water games. The centre will offer its services in a safe and welcoming environment that will foster children’s motor, cognitive and sensory development. To date, this organization has received $35,765 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
The MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre offers adaptation, rehabilitation, and social integration services to children with motor impairments or communication disorders. The centre received $12,843 to buy equipment for the small gym, to improve its safety and make it more stimulating and suitable for multiple purposes. These facilities will be used for rehabilitation activities to foster the children’s developmental progress. To date, this organization has received $33,343 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
The Miriam Foundation improves the lives of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families by providing a stimulating environment. The organization received $5,997 to buy activity materials that will be used to help children from 18 months to 6 years of age to develop their skills and independence. These educational tools include materials for motor, social and communication skills development.
Loisirs Soleil develops life projects, among other things, for children aged 6 to 18 with physical or intellectual disabilities. The organization received $2,942 to provide private paratransit services in winter and buy activity materials that will be used to deliver self-esteem and skills development workshops to children and youth. To date, this organization has received $35,442 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
The Giant Steps Foundation supports parents, schools and the health network by providing them with the resources they need to help autistic children develop their functional abilities and be more independent as adults. The organization received $2,359 to buy computer equipment, including one laptop and two desktop computers and software, and for transportation. These tools help autistic children to develop their abilities. To date, this organization has received $48,359 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Josée Lavigueur
This foundation promotes fitness and disease prevention in children through physical activity.
The Viomax centre allows children and youth to experience positive moments while performing adapted physical activities, in spite of their differences. The organization received $6,400 from Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Josée Lavigueur to provide disabled children aged 5 to 18 with opportunities to discover and practise sports through adapted outings, while focusing on their abilities. To date, this organization has received $27,440 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
The Fondation du Centre jeunesse de Montréal’s goal is to improve children’s well-being and future by developing age-adapted programs and offering them positive, rewarding experiences through sports and art. The organization received $3,698 from Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Josée Lavigueur to buy sports equipment in order to support the physical, psychological and social development of children from age 6 to 11. To date, this organization has received $23,698 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
Opération Jeunesse Ville-Émard/Côte-Saint-Paul provides youth with a place where they can go on a voluntary basis to meet, develop a sense of belonging, be in contact with significant adults and become active, critical and responsible citizens. The organization received $3,109 from Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Josée Lavigueur to buy camping, soccer, volleyball and hockey equipment, rent ski equipment, and for transportation. This will help youth to develop healthy life habits through sports.
Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Marie-Soleil Tougas
This foundation supports assistance projects aimed at youth in situations of violence, abuse, addiction, early maternity, juvenile prostitution and distress.
The Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) project helps youth experiencing violence to break the cycle of abuse and become community leaders in prevention. After regaining power over their lives, these young people aged 13 to 18 can disseminate the non-violence message by telling their story. The organization received $3,768 from Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Marie-Soleil Tougas to buy activity materials and specialized equipment for its programs. To date, this organization has received $22,768 from Opération Enfant Soleil.
La Maison des enfants de l’île de Montréal welcomes children with low self-esteem. The organization received $1,600 from Opération Enfant Soleil’s Fonds Marie-Soleil Tougas. This grant will be used to buy equipment for the relaxation room, where visualisation techniques will be taught. The children will have the opportunity to express themselves, share, create and grow. To date, this organization has received $76,588 from Opération Enfant Soleil. 
