Decorated Olympian Caroline Ouellette;
National Bank President & CEO Louis
Vachon; and youth leaders honoured
TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - For a fifth
consecutive year, Right To Play hosted last night its annual
fundraising event, The Heroes Gala, which this year raised a new
record sum of $2.825 million to
protect, empower and educate children through play. This year, the
Gala recognized two exceptional Canadians and long-time supporters
of Right To Play dedicated to supporting children's rights to rise
above their challenges: Olympic Gold Medalist and Right To
Play Ambassador Caroline
Ouellette and the President and Chief Executive Officer
of National Bank, Louis Vachon.
![Logo: Power Corporation of Canada (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada) Logo: Power Corporation of Canada (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/768508/National_Bank_of_Canada_Right_To_Play_s_The_Heroes_Gala_raises_a.jpg)
"We have an amazing group of leaders from across Canada coming together to help children rise
above adversity," said Kevin Frey,
Chief Executive Officer of Right To Play. "We are so honoured to
share with them our message that every child should be protected,
educated and empowered, and to draw on their support to make that a
reality. The Heroes Gala is critical for raising the funds to
support the 1.9 million children across 15 countries who learn
vital life skills in Right To Play programs."
One of Toronto's biggest annual
fundraising events, Right To Play's The Heroes Gala paid tribute
for a second year to the outstanding accomplishments of youth who
participate in Right To Play programs around the world, including
one from Rwanda and one from
Whitefish River First Nation. The Heroes Gala was made possible by
Title Sponsors Power Corporation of Canada and National Bank. The event, which
hosted more than 1,100 guests, also featured the presence of high
profile leaders and athletes including the Honourable Marie-Claude
Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie,
Government of Canada, the
Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social
Services, and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, Government
of Ontario as well as Canadian
Olympians Rosie MacLennan, Anastasia
Bucsis, Brian Stemmle and
Perdita Felicien. Guests were
treated to special performances by Cirque du Soleil and Sean Jones.
"Right To Play is an amazing organization that uses the power of
play and sports to build character, confidence, leadership and team
work amongst youth who otherwise might not have access to this
vital dimension of the human experience," said Paul C. Genest, Senior Vice-President of Power
Corporation and Co-Chair of The Heroes Gala. "Power Corporation is
delighted and very proud to be able to support the wonderful work
they do for communities in need in Canada and abroad."
"National Bank's partnership with Right To Play represents a
true team effort," mentioned Sean St.
John, Co-Chair of The Heroes Gala 2018 edition and EVP,
Managing Director, Head of Fixed Income and Head of Debt &
Equity Capital Markets, National Bank. "Our people are genuinely
moved by the organization's mission of creating opportunity for
children by helping them develop a sustainable skillset. We are
extremely proud of our dedicated teams at the Bank who have joined
forces with Right To Play partners to help empower the youth in
achieving successful outcomes, in Canada and beyond."
About Right To Play
Every day, millions of children face poverty, war, disease and
poor education. For many of these children, culture, tradition and
economic barriers can force them into dangerous and limiting
futures, which may include child labor, early marriage, illiteracy
and violence. Right To Play empowers the children in our programs
to rise above these barriers, discover possibilities, and find a
way back to hope. We harness the power of play to protect, educate
and empower children to rise above these challenges and unlock
their potential.
Play keeps children in school and out of work. It helps them
overcome challenges that could rob them of their dignity, their
promise and put them at risk. Play teaches them how to prevent
disease and resolve conflicts, and gives them the confidence to
dismantle barriers and create opportunities where often there were
none.
About Power Corporation of Canada
Power Corporation of Canada is
a diversified international management and holding company with
interests in companies in the financial services, asset management,
sustainable and renewable energy, and other business sectors in
North America, Europe and Asia. To learn more, visit
www.PowerCorporation.com.
About National Bank of Canada
With $258 billion in assets as at July 31, 2018, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms
one of Canada's leading integrated
financial groups. It has more than 23,000 employees in
knowledge-intensive positions and has been recognized numerous
times as a top employer and for its commitment to
diversity. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or
via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
For more information, please follow @RightToPlayCAN,
#TheHeroesGala and visit www.righttoplay.ca
SOURCE National Bank of Canada