Air Canada raises $1.2M in annual golf tournament

The Air Canada Foundation raised a record-breaking $1.2M in support of charitable organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of Canadian youth during the eighth edition of its annual golf tournament. 

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Held at the Saint-Raphaël Golf Club on July 8, the event welcomed approximately 350 attendees from more than 100 Canadian, U.S. and international corporations and organizations.

"The tireless work of several Air Canada employee volunteers who helped organize and facilitate the event was once again key to ensuring the tournament's great success," said Priscille LeBlanc, chair of the Air Canada Foundation. "Over the past eight years, and with the unwavering support of Air Canada, its employees and its partners, the Foundation has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children across Canada. I extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the children and families whose lives are touched by the Foundation."

Supporting charities

As part of the activities taking place during the tournament, five Canadian charities supported by the Air Canada Foundation were highlighted through a fun donation activity. Participants, Air Canada employees and new @fondation_aircanada_foundation Instagram followers were able to select which organization they wanted the Air Canada Foundation to support. 

A total amount of $35,000 will be donated to all five organizations.

Stone and Kaleb, two young boys who previously benefited from the support of the Foundation, played an important role by manning the highly coveted lemonade stand. Together, they raised a record-breaking amount of $15,630 as they enticed golfers with their refreshing lemonade on a warm, sunny day.

In 2018 alone, the Air Canada Foundation granted more than $5.4 million in financial and in-kind support to 275 Canadian registered charities and helped over 450 fundraising events and initiatives.

One organization that benefited from the Air Canada Foundation's support last year is Dreams Take Flight, an employee-led charity that Air Canada has supported since its very beginning, over 30 years ago. Each year, the airline provides flights from Saint-John's (NL), Halifax (NS), Montreal (QC), Toronto (ON), Winnipeg (MB), Edmonton and Calgary(AB), and Vancouver (BC) that bring 1,000 children who are facing medical, mental, physical, social, or emotional limitations to Disney for a fun-filled day of activities.

The Breakfast Club of Canada received $148,000 to sustain three Indigenous schools by covering food and kitchen equipment purchases in Indigenous communities throughout the country. They will also use the funds to develop two programs in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

The 14 Canadian pediatric member hospitals of the Children's Miracle Network received a total of $871,398 to help support the two million children they serve every year, including the second installment of a five-year, $250,000 commitment to the new Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, for state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for children, mothers and families in Saskatoon.

Further to its annual golf tournament, the Air Canada Foundation raises funds through a number of initiatives, including the Wanderluxe Gala and Every Bit Counts, an on-board collection program that facilitates the donation of currency of any denomination on Air Canada flights or through collection containers available at Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. 

In 2019, all proceeds collected on board will be distributed to all 14 pediatric member hospitals of the Children's Miracle Network.

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