MONTREAL — The Air Canada Foundation has turned 10 and is celebrating a decade of helping youth and children through its various programs, partnerships and initiatives.
Established in 2012, the Foundation was created following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. It quickly deployed a humanitarian mission to bring life-saving medical equipment to the population and help with orphanages on the island, bringing Haitian children back to Canada for adoption. Realizing how powerful travel could be in the welfare of children, the Foundation spent the next decade providing support to more than 200 Canadian charities each year, connecting children to medical care, alleviating child poverty and helping children fulfill their dreams. The Foundation has also offered continued support to major health-related causes that benefit Canadians, and is an active participant in international humanitarian relief activities.
Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada, says the Foundation is the “heart” of the organization whose impact over the last decade has been immeasurable.
“I’m so grateful to employees, retirees, volunteers, customers and all partners for their commitment and dedication over the years. I will continue to enable opportunities for employees to get involved, and I welcome even more partners and customers to join us. Let’s keep working together and improve the lives of children and families,” said Rousseau.
Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation, added: “I am proud to be celebrating today a significant milestone for the Foundation, recognizing that every day represents a breakthrough for children and families undergoing difficult times. Despite the recent challenging times, the Air Canada Foundation relentlessly pursued efforts to help Canadian families in need in creative and different ways, and we look forward to seeing even more positive impact in the years to come.”
The Foundation’s major achievements since its inception in 2012 include:
- Donating more than $12 million in grants to Canadian-registered charities focused on the health and well-being of children
- Donating more than 11,000 airline tickets to charitable organizations to support fundraising activities or program development
- Made possible more than 9,000 flights to make children’s dreams come true
As the Air Canada Foundation moves into its second decade, it will focus on three new pillars, including:
- Wings of Health: Supporting pediatric hospitals, health organizations, medical transportation and treatment
- Wings of Protection: Supporting food security, child reunification, human trafficking survivors, humanitarian aid organizations and working against poverty
- Wings to Dream: Supporting wish-granting for seriously ill, physically challenged and impoverished children
To learn more about the Air Canada Foundation, go to www.aircanada.com/foundation.
