Welcome Hall Mission to Provide School Supplies and New Shoes to 2,600 Children

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Aug. 18, 2015) - Welcome Hall Mission will today host its 14^th annual back-to-school event - Rentrée la tête haute - for Montreal children. With the average cost of fees and supplies averaging over $500 per child, the event is an important one for families struggling to make ends meet. This year, the mission will provide at least 2,600 children with new pairs of shoes and back-packs filled with grade-appropriate supplies. In addition, families will benefit from sale prices at the mission's thrift store, La Boutique (proceeds support the mission's job creation program). It is estimated that about 22.5% of children live below the poverty level in Montréal.

Senator Jacques Demers, former NHL Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens, returns as spokesman for the event. Having experienced poverty as a child, the senator identifies strongly with the needs of these children and their families. His story of overcoming illiteracy in the very competitive arena of professional sports is an inspiration to all and is perfectly aligned with Welcome Hall Mission's academic support programs that work to help ensure children's success in school.

"Back-to-school should be an enjoyable and memorable event for every child, no matter the environment from which they come," stated Jacques Demers. "A backpack filled with school supplies can make the difference between a child who stays in school and one who drops out. A child's education is important and this is why it gives me great pleasure to support the Rentrée la tête haute event and Welcome Hall Mission's efforts."

CEO/Executive Director Cyril Morgan thanks the thousands of individual donors and hundreds of volunteers who make the event possible, as well as all the corporate sponsors, Aldo, Bentley, Hydro Quebec, Fondation Bon Départ de Canadian Tire de Québec, CCM, Fan Club des Canadiens, Lepage, Simply Wonderful and Staedtler for their partnership. "By working together, we are making an important impact in the lives of children and their families. Education and staying in school are critical factors in breaking the cycle of poverty."

Backpacks will be distributed from 9 AM to 4 PM on August 18 and 19 at Welcome Hall Mission located on Acorn Street in St-Henri. During these two fun-filled days, children will also take part in various activities such as sports, inflatable games, face painting, refreshments, etc.

About Welcome Hall Mission

Welcome Hall Mission helps Montreal's most disadvantaged through its multiple services which provide constant, effective assistance to tens of thousands of men, women, children and youth. Across all programs, the common denominator is its commitment to supporting and giving hope to the most disadvantaged through concrete actions and effective solutions to build a better life and reintegration into society.

MEDIA INVITATION:

There will be a media briefing at 10:30 AM on August 18 at 4755 A Acorn Street (corner De Courcelle), Montreal. On site, it will be possible to take some images of Jacques Demers distributing backpacks and talking with the kids around 11 AM. It will also be possible to do interviews with Jacques Demers, Cyril Morgan and families present at the event.