W H A T 'S   N E W

Humour Show

The Foundation is pleased to announce that a humour show will be held on Thursday, June 1st, 2006, at the Gesù (1200 Bleury Street).

Information: Mélissa Comtois
Quebec Foundation for the Blind
(514) 259-9470, ext. 23

"A World of Pleasure" : 2005 summer camps

The 2005 summer camps will have allowed close to 100 blind/visually impaired children to enjoy a fun filled summer in a safe and secure environment: canoe, kayak, camping, swimming, day trips to La Ronde and Fort Angrignon, water slides, whitewater rafting, to name a few of the activities offered by the Foundation.

The children can choose the day camp formula and/or the weekly stays at different camps. They learn new skills, make friends and enjoy new experiences in a safe and pleasant atmosphere.

A summer's day activity that raises $1,700 for the Foundation

Our sincere thanks to the team of Aventures en Eau Vive (www.eauviverafting.ca) for their July 31st whitewater rafting fundraiser activity. The profits of the day, $1,700 will be used for the sports and recreational youth programs. The whitewater rafting was thrilling for the participants and they hope to be able to get wet again with the gang of Aventures en Eau Vive, maybe next summer.

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For information :

Mélissa Comtois
QUEBEC FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
Tel. : (514) 259-9470, ext. 23

2005 Summer camps - "A world of pleasure"

Monday, June 27th was the first day of the Foundation's summer camps. For 8 weeks, some one hundred blind and visually impaired children ranging in ages from 6 to 18, will enjoy the pleasures of summer in a safe and structured environment. A wide array of activities await them: swimming, camping, canoeing, rafting, La Ronde, Fort Angrignon, water slides, biking, horseback riding, and more.

During those weeks, the counsellors supervise the children, adapt the activities to their needs, help and accompany them. The programs include day camps, day trips, stay-over activity camps as well as a trip to Quebec City.

The integration of handicapped children in the regular school system has had many advantages. Unfortunately, there has been one major drawback: the exclusion of these children from participating to social and recreational activities.

We think it is fundamental for a child's development to interact with his peers. It is a known fact that handicapped children suffer more from the isolation than from the handicap itself. Getting together with friends on a regular basis allows them to overcome the feelings of isolation while learning social skills and discovering new abilities.

In the name of all the children and their parents, we thank our generous and loyal supporters.

A touching moment

Sunday December 12th was a magical day for the 80 blind/visually impaired children at the Foundation's 7th Edition of the annual Christmas Party. The event made the first page of the Montreal Gazette on Monday, December 13th and CFCF TV 12 aired the coverage on the Sunday six o'clock news.

The event was made possible thanks to many sponsors and volunteers. The day is about the spirit of Christmas: giving and sharing with loved ones. The children and teenagers are always thrilled with the presents they receive but what they appreciate most of all is to spend time with the many friends they have made over the years, participating at the Foundation's recreational and sports programs.

The Christmas party closes the summer and fall activities and opens the winter season with everyone's favorite activity: downhill skiing.

We wish to sincerely thank our sponsors and each and everyone who contributed to the realization of this day.

The origins of the white cane

The origins of the white cane go back to 1921 when a photographer from Bristol, England, James Bigg, became blind following a tragic accident. He decided to paint his cane in white when he left the hospital to make himself more visible at night. Soon after, the white cane was adopted as an international symbol for blindness.

White Cane Week - from February 6th to 12th. Each year, different organizations who cater to the needs of the blind and visually impaired, get together during this national week to promote awareness to inform the public of the reality of living with a visual handicap.

A residential and community project

The Quebec Foundation for the Blind is working actually at developing a housing project that would reunite under one roof, social housing and a community centre for the blind and visually impaired.

In Quebec, there are over 110 000 visually handicapped adults, of which more than 2/3 live in the Montreal region. Statistics Canada estimate that the vast majority of the blind and visually impaired who live under the poverty level who have an annual revenue of less than $10 000. More than 75% of these people allow more than half of their income to house themselves.

The Quebec Foundation for the Blind manages two adapted low-rent housing facilities for the blind and visually impaired. (Armand Houle Complex and Habitations Habitoeil). A safe and adapted environment is of vital importance for the visually impaired person. Daily living is a challenge for the blind; making it as easy as possible for them alleviates the burden.

LEAVE A LEGACY^TM

The Québec Foundation for the Blind is pleased to join Leave a Legacy^TM as a participating partner in promoting and encouraging individuals in Quebec to make a significant contribution through their financial and estate planning. Such heartfelt gestures enable charity organizations like ours and many others to pursue their work for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Planning a donation is an act of generosity, giving, sharing and helping; it's also an act of respect in memory of someone dear; it's supporting a cause close to your heart. These donations also offer interesting tax shelters and exemptions.

Leaving a legacy lets your loved ones know what was very dear to you.

Each donation remains for charity organizations, the moral and financial support that allows them to pursue their activities for the benefit of a community, in our case, for the benefit of the visually handicapped community. Visit our section Planning a Gift on our website: www.aveugles.org