Martin C. Barry
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation’s 2017 Lobster Fest, which took place at the Château Royal in Laval on June 14, raised $32,268 for educational equipment and materials for students at SWLSB learning centres and schools in the coming year.
Several hundred supporters of the foundation look forward each year to the Lobster Fest, which provides an opportunity to feast on lobster while supporting the cause of public education. For many, the Lobster Fest also brings the school year to a close on a festive note as one of the foundation’s two main annual fundraisers.
Many supporters and guests
Among the guests at this year’s Lobster Fest were Laval deputy-mayor and city councillor for St-Bruno David De Cotis, l’orée des bois city councillor Yannick Langlois (representing Mayor Marc Demers), Commission scolaire des samares president Michel Forget, and SWLSB interim director-general Fréderic Greschner.
“The Sir Wilfrid Foundation is an important partner of the school board and we are proud to contribute in the achievement of its mission,” SWLF president Christian Fréchette said in the opening address. “Over the past 14 years, the foundation has contributed to a wide variety of projects that benefit students directly.
$1 million target close
“Since its creation, close to $800,000 has been given to the schools and centres of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. We are getting very close to our goal of $1 million. We have given $785,000 to the schools and centres.”
For 2018-2019, according to Fréchette, the foundation’s goal is to make possible the acquisition of more multi-sensory classroom equipment, which he said is highly in demand in all schools and will be used by students of all ages.
“The education of our youth and school perseverance are at the heart of the foundation’s actions and decisions,” he said. “It is our responsibility to invest in our young people and support them in their education so that they can become accomplished citizens.
Funding tools and equipment
At the same time, he announced that in 2019 the foundation will again fund tools and sensory equipment for all the school board’s schools and centres.
“This equipment was a success in 2018, but the need is so great that we will give more next year,” he said. “Of course, the foundation will continue to award citizenship scholarships to graduating students and will carry on holding the Laurier Gala in May of each year.”
The president of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Jennifer Maccarone, took the opportunity to thank the members of the foundation’s board of directors for their efforts and the time they devote to the school board’s students.
SWLSB ranked one of the best
“You are valuable partners and we are grateful for the difference you make in the school board,” she said. Maccarone also informed the guests that the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board was ranked among the best in the province.
The many guests at this year’s Lobster Fest had a wonderful evening which was lively and energetic, and they were able to enjoy the all-you-can-eat lobsters. Since its creation in 2014, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation has annually awarded hundreds of citizenship grants to graduates of the youth and adult sectors. Since 2014, these amounts have been distributed as follows:
| Projects | Contribution |
| Academics | $100,394 |
| Technology | $175,260 |
| Arts | $31,940 |
| Healthy Lifestyles | $73,695 |
| Leadership | $31,390 |
| Safety and security | $55,765 |
| Sports | $60,011 |
| Student bursaries | $165,100 |
| Recognition (Annual Laurier Gala Funding) | $90,000 |
| Total Amount | $783,555 |
The foundation’s mid-winter fundraising gala will be held on January 24, 2019. Details will be released in the fall. Created in 2004, the Foundation’s mission is to promote educational, cultural, recreational, technological and sports programs for the SWLSB’s students. For more information, visit the website of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation at www.fondationlaurier.com.
