MONTREAL — The Air Canada Foundation hosted its 10th annual charity golf tournament this week and successfully raised $1,087,609 to support charitable organizations dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and youth in Canada.

“This is a milestone year for the Air Canada Foundation as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, and the 10th annual golf tournament, our largest fundraiser of the year. During the past decade, collectively we have helped make a difference improving children’s health and wellbeing. On behalf of all the children and families the Foundation supports, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Air Canada’s partners and others who joined us for this wonderful event,” said Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation.

“The funds raised will allow the Foundation to continue its mission of helping kids spread their wings,” added LeBlanc.

And Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said: “Representing the heart of our organization, the work and mission of the Air Canada Foundation reminds us all of the role we can all take to help Canadian families in need. Despite a very challenging two years during the pandemic, I am very grateful that together, we continue our long history of support in our communities. Thank you to the generosity of our supporters, donors and employee volunteers involved in this year’s fundraising golf tournament which enables the Air Canada Foundation to keep making a difference to children and their families.”

Held at the Saint-Raphaël Golf Club in Montreal, the event welcomed close to 300 guests with the support of 100 sponsors and numerous Air Canada retirees and employee volunteers.

A special highlight of this annual tournament is the coveted lemonade stand, manned this year by Air Canada Foundation ambassadors Léa-Jade and Coralie, raising $10,000.

The Foundation also welcomed special guests Gregory Charles, one of Quebec’s most talented musical artists, who performed for the Foundation’s guests, and three-time Olympic gold medallist in women’s hockey, Marie-Philip Poulin.

Despite the challenges presented over the last two years brought on by the pandemic, the Foundation continued to innovate to provide support to Canadians in need, provided opportunities for employees to give back to their communities, and helped to facilitate donations and humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Since 2012 the Foundation has donated more than $12 million in grants to Canadian-registered charities focused on the health and wellbeing of children. It has also donated more than 11,000 airline tickets to charitable organizations to support fundraising activities or program development, and made possible more than 9,000 flights to make children’s dreams come true.