Shadd team raises more than $14,000 in for Cedar s CanSupport

A team from the Shadd Health and Business Centre in NDG took part in the BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Promenade Pere Marquette in Lachine. The Shadd/Baton Rouge Firebreathers paddled their hearts out and collected an outstanding amount of $14,230.

“We are all quite proud of our achievement and we are looking at possibly returning next year,” said teacher John Millar. “The goal was to have our students involved in the community and have them participate in team building. I think we did both! We learned a lot about ourselves and we now have a clearer understanding of how to participate in a large scale event.”

This event is crucial to help raise awareness and much needed funds for Cedars CanSupport, which has, and continues to provide, free psychological, emotional, practical and financial support to cancer patients and their families, one person at a time, for the past 30 years. The Cedars Cancer Foundation was founded in 1966 by a group of individuals in the Lebanese community, who overcame personal loss and dedicated themselves to fighting cancer and to alleviating its effects on patients of all origins and their families.

Shadd’s involvement comes through its commitment to teambuilding and involvement in the community. Participants had to paddle in unison to power the dragon boat in a series of one-minute-long heats against other competitors. This was also a way to expose Shadd, showing others that it is not just a successful vocational school, but also a community contributor. “Our students are our strength,” says Mr. Millar. “The dragon boat represents the power and strong fellowship of our students. This is Shadd’s core.”

Principal Joe Cacchione wishes to thank Dominic Aversa of Baton Rouge restaurants in Anjou, Laval and Greenfield Park for notes that a generous sponsorship contribution of $5,000.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of73 schools and centres.For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.