On June 9th the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation (SWLF) held its annual Lobster Gala, which had been put on hold for the past two years because of the pandemic. Close to 300 guests attended this much anticipated event at the Château Royal in Laval.
The Foundation was created in 2004 and has given $950,000 to the schools and centres of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB). Last night, the board of directors was very excited to announce that the Lobster Fest fundraiser was a huge success which allowed the Foundation to raise another $50,000$ bringing the total amount raised since 2004, to $1,000,000! The 1-million-dollar triumph will be celebrated at the next event where past members of the board of directors over the years will be invited. More information will be available in the coming months.
This year, the monies raised will help provide equipment for bimodal teaching in the school board’s summer school. Classrooms equipped to offer bimodal instruction make it possible for teachers to teach classes both online and in person, simultaneously. Many of our students are not able to attend summer school in person as they live further from the summer school campus in Laval. Thanks to this high-tech equipment, all students across the board’s vast territory will be able to participate in live class sessions.
“The success and well-being of our youth is at the heart of the Foundation’s actions and decisions. It’s all about the students. Plain and simple. Students are our raison d’être and we will continue to work hard to give them as much as we can.” said Ms. Josée Côté, SWLF President.
The evening master of ceremonies were the Foundations’ President Ms. Josée Côté and Vice-President Archie Cifelli as well as Cousin Vinny, Virgin Radio’s morning man. Many politicians were among the guests, such as Mr. Guy Ouellette, MNA of Chomedey, Mr. Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval, Mr. Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère as well as many city counsellors from Laval, Rosemère and Morin-Heights. Representation from Mr. Jean Rousselle (MNA for Vimont) also attended the event as well the SWLSB Council of Commissioners, three of which are members of the board of directors of the Foundation, Mr. James Di Sano, Mr. Vincent Cammisano and Chairperson Paolo Galati.
“The African proverb “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD” has never been truer. When communities, business partners, educators, parents and political leaders work hand in hand, they are paving the road to success for our students and making sure that they have a bright future ahead with unlimited possibilities.” said Mr. Paolo Galati, SWLSB Chairperson.
This Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation is part of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, the third largest English school board of the Province of Québec. The SWLSB territory comprises the administrative regions of Laval, Lanaudière and the Laurentides and provides preschool, elementary, secondary, adult education and vocational training services to over 14,000 students in 35 schools and 4 centres, as well as business training services.
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