Fundraising pays off for Peter Hall School as it acquires its campus

"This transaction was not planned so early, but an excellent opportunity arose," said Laliberté, in the presence of some 40 guests.

As an important partner in the fundraising campaign of the Peter Hall School Foundation, Transcontinental Media made a donation of $10,000 at the time of the announcement. The Rodican/Rodimax Group improved on that amount by giving $10,400 to make it possible for Peter Hall School to obtain a third campus in Montreal. With an area of 70,000 square feet, the Côte-Vertu campus is committed to some 100 intellectually handicapped students at the high school level.

Representatives from Member of Parliament Stéphane Dion, Member of the National Assembly Yvan Bordeleau and Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa were present as was Fundraising Campaign Spokesperson Janine Sutto and Foundation Board of Directors President Kathryn Baker. All were delighted with the fundraising campaign.

"We have an objective of a million dollars for our five year campaign," said Alain Belcourt, president of the campaign. "Two years later, we accumulated in gifts and in promises the sum of $540,000. We have three years in front of us to attain $460,000."

For Transcontinental Media it was the third generous gift given within the framework a five-year agreement, ending in 2009. As owner of many local newspapers, including the Saint-Laurent News, the company is, in addition, committed to creating new Internet sites for the Foundation and the school.

In addition to a team of specialized teachers, a small movie theatre, practical workshops, cooking classes, art and computer rooms, students also benefit from a representative student council. "Everything is dedicated to make them more independent and autonomous when they leave us," said School Principal Maurice Berlinguette.

Since 1935, young people age four to 21 living with an intellectual handicap have passed through the school doors, which today offers a specialized and unique school syllabus for 480 pupils. (Translated by Michael Beigleman)