As part of its partnership with the Fondation du Dr Julien (FDJ), Optimum Group has helped make back to school season easier for many Montreal-based families by giving their children the materials they need for the school year.

Last July, when they learned that the FDJ needed school supplies, Optimum’s philanthropy committee quickly convened and wasted no time in fulfilling

this request.

Thanks to this donation and that of another partner, JanSport, which gave the school bags, 180 elementary schoolers between grades 1 and 6, as well as 20 high

school students, received a back-pack containing notebooks, pens, a geometry set, rulers, pencils, loose-leaf paper, a calculator and more.

At Optimum, we’re ready to give a helping hand!In order to provide additional support to the FDJ, employees from Optimum’s subsidiaries took a few hours of their time to put together all the supplies in the 200 school bags. On Monday, August 11, a team of merry volunteers, comprised of Mariana Ghinea (ORE), Carole Nolin (OAM), Grace Furuya (OGI), her son Noah and Julien Plomteux, son of Odile Goyer (OGI), both aged 14, made their way to

the Pediatric Centre located in Montreal’s east-end to fill up the bags. Pierre Fortier and Anne-Marie Morrison of Optimum’s Communications department also joined them.

Our team of volunteers quickly got to work and went about its task in a conscientious manner: Indeed, they not only took care to sort the bags that would better suit the teenagers’ taste, but also colour-matched the bags and pencil cases...

Optimum Group equips 200 children in need for back to school

Last Friday, at both FDJ Pediatric Centres in Montreal, the little ones came with their families to get their school bag. The children made their choice based on their own personality and individual style: colourful, energetic, active or studious… there was something for every one!

For this occasion, Ms. Anabelle Blondeau, President and Chief Operating Officer at Optimum Group, along with a few members of the philanthropy committee (several were on vacation), including its President, Patrick Lamontagne, visited the Hochelaga location to meet with FDJ managers and professionals.

During its visit at the FDJ, Optimum’s team saw how much its support really helped meet a vital need among many children and their families. We believe that this first initiative will be the springboard for our 2014 fundraising campaign, which is planned for later in the fall.

On our photo, from left to right:

Julie Desharnais, Director of the FDJ’s Pediatric Centers, Charles Brochu, Head of Operations, FDJ, Odile Goyer (OGI), two mothers, Roxanne Edwards and Annela Dogar, Anabelle Blondeau (GRO), young Lucky Dogar, Patrick Lamontagne (OAM) and Anne-Marie Morrison (GRO).

Happy students and thrilled parents!