A new initiative , sponsored by Pediapharm inc. will allow Big brothers Big sisters of greater Montreal to pursue their goal of decreasing the dropout rate in dozens of schools throughout the Lester B. Pearson School Board.The montreal Juniors Hockey Club releaed on monday, in the LaSalle Boulevard’s Crescendo restaurant in Verdun, the 2009 edition of the  “Score with School Edition” program.
On hand for the event was Mr. Sylvain Chrétien, president and CEO of Pediapharm inc., whose company reiterated its social commitment with a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal, represented by Mrs. Ginette Sauvé, the organization’s director general. Mrs. Sauvé also announced Mr. Pascal Vincent’s instatement as official francophone spokesperson of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal. Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo serves as the organization’s anglophone counterpart, participating actively in recruiting English-speaking mentors. As of today, the organization can count on Pascal Vincent to do the same.

The Montreal Juniors and Pediapharm are thus affiliated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters in a mentoring program whose goal is to prevent dropouts at the elementary and secondary school levels by offering a tutoring service adapted to the needs of each child. The first step of the “Score with school!” program will begin with the support of the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Four season tickets will be distributed to each participating school, tickets that will then be given to students having achieved good grades or an improvement in their behaviour or academic results, and this, before each Montreal Juniors home game. Mr. Marcus Tabachnick, Chairman of the Board of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Mr. Martin Routhier, president of the team, as well as the players and coaches of the Montreal Juniors Hockey Club were also present. This event was thus the first public outing of the 2009-2010 edition of the Montreal Juniors, now in their second season.

“We are extremely proud of this new association. Each party will welcome many young people who will appreciate the players’ performance. We would also like to thank Pediapharm, who has become involved with us in this project,” said Ginette Sauvé, director general of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal. “I’m proud to see to see all these people involved in the success of our youth. The education and health of our children represent the future of our society. Pediapharm’s involvement is important and our clientele is composed of some of the Montreal Juniors’ biggest fans—the children. Thank you to the Montreal Juniors Hockey Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters,” added Mr. Sylvain Chrétien, president and CEO of Pediapharm inc.

posted at oursportcentral.com