(TLN)
For an eighth consecutive year, the Laval Police Department unveiled its canine squad calendar last week, with all profits from sales going towards the Fondation Martin-Matte.
Thanks to funds from the sales of the popular calendar, the foundation has been able to build several residences for persons living with traumatic brain injuries. Since 2009, sales have brought in $300,000 for the foundation.
Traumatic brain injuries
The LPD’s involvement began in 2008 following the death of the police department’s master dog handler Éric Lavoie, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. The calendar is available at all Laval-area IGA stores, at the LPD’s headquarters, and at neighbourhood police stations throughout Laval.
The Fondation Martin-Matte raises funds to help persons suffering from head injuries that often cause serious neurological disturbances. The foundation finances the construction of specially-equipped houses, in addition to helping provide respite, rehabilitation and activity centres for the victims and their families.
A personal connection
The involvement of well-known Quebec standup comic Martin Matte began as a result of an accident his brother, Christian, had in 1986. Subsequent to that, Christian lived in nearly 20 group residences over two decades as the system shuffled him about.
The foundation now supports a growing network of residences in communities all over Quebec, including Blainville and Sherbrooke. Soon there will be residences in Trois-Rivières and Quebec City. Ten people in Quebec suffer a head trauma each day that will leave them seriously incapacitated.
