Sun Youth Seniors gear up for the holidays

Volunteers from the Sun Youth Seniors Club wrapping toys for 12,000 young ones: (from left to right) Réjeanne Cronier, Roger Lemieux and Fernande Plante

Nicolas Carpentier

On November 27th, CHOM and CJAD were broadcasting live on the sidewalk in front of the Sun Youth building for our Annual Holiday Collect.

Once again, Montrealers were very generous. From 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, volunteers from the two radio stations and from Sun Youth were collecting funds and non-perishable food items in preparation for the Sun Youth Holiday Basket Campaign which will be helping 20,000 Montrealers again this year.

Sun Youth will also be distributing 12,000 new toys to children whose parents are registered for Christmas baskets. These toys are individually wrapped by members of the Sun Youth Seniors Club.

Sun Youth has been registering people for Christmas baskets since September. Those who wish to apply are requested to bring a proof of income, a proof of address and the Medicare cards of everyone in their family, including the children. The information is then entered in a database and sent to the Montreal Central Index to avoid duplications and to make sure everyone registered gets a food hamper.

From all of us at Sun Youth, Happy Holidays and the best for the New Year and beyond!

Info: 514-842-6822

Paul Newman’s legacy lives on

Nicolas Carpentier

On September 26, 2008, actor Paul Newman died after a long battle with lung cancer. Sun Youth’s Sid Stevens thought highly of Newman, not only because of his very successful movie career but mainly because of his community involvement, here and all over the world.

In 1982, Paul Newman founded Newman’s Own, a company that produces a line of all-natural food products. Since its foundation, Newman’s Own has given away more than $250 million to charities around the world.

In 1986, Sun Youth’s Executive VP received a surprise visit from two gentlemen who said they were representing a well-known American actor. They told him that Sun Youth was being considered for a grant.

Nine months passed and Sid Stevens almost forgot about it until he received a phone call from Newman’s Own informing him that Sun Youth had been selected as the sole recipient of the profits in Quebec from their line of foods.

For seven consecutive years, Sun Youth received the support of the Newman’s Own Foundation to assist people in need. Between 1987 and 1995 Sun Youth was granted $150,000 and the equivalent of $100,000 in food products to be included in the baskets distributed through the organization’s senior monthly food supplement program.

Sid Stevens never had the chance to meet the screen legend to thank him for his generosity but he did receive a personal note from him: “A lot of people have ideas but never do anything about it. Other people have dreams but never do anything about it. Other people have ideas and dreams and do something about it. Your organization is doing something and is committed to it.”

“He was very impressed with Sun Youth’s various programs, from our emergency food bank to our summer camp in l’Annonciation,” Sid recalls fondly.

Paul Newman co-founded the Newman’s Own organization with the following mandate in mind: “The more profits we generate, the higher will be the amount given to charitable organizations.” Sun Youth was fortunate enough to receive donations from Newman’s Own until 1995, when their products stopped being distributed in Quebec. From all of us at Sun Youth, farewell Mr. Newman. You will be missed.

Sun Youth seniors shine

Sun Youth seniors club on Bingo Day

Nicolas Carpentier

It’s a well known fact that our country’s population is aging rapidly. In 2005, Statistics Canada indicated that senior citizens (65 and over) were representing 13.1% of the population. By 2036, they estimate that seniors will constitute 24.5% of the population.

For Sun Youth, senior citizens are esteemed members of our society. As a result, we work very hard each day to improve their quality of life. A multitude of services specifically catering to their needs are available to them. Emergency services such as our monthly food supplement programs and our medication program are aimed at assisting seniors in distress. Sun Youth also offers recreational acti­vities through its Seniors Club.

The Sun Youth Seniors Club has 136 members, all very active in the organization. People 55 years young and up are eligible to become members. Fees are $5 a calendar year (January to December). There are additional fees for organized outings but they are very moderate and vary between $15 and $25 depending on the event. The rest of the activities are free with the annual membership fees.

Every week, the Sun Youth Seniors Club offers a full schedule of activities with something for everyone to enjoy. Tai Chi classes are offered every Monday and Thursday afternoon and allow our seniors to stay in shape. On Tuesday mornings, a sewing and knitting group meets, where seniors share their techniques and work together on projects. On Wednesday afternoons, it’s bingo day, one of the most popular activities of the Seniors Club. On Fridays, outings are organized and bring our group to venues across Quebec, Ontario and the States. For a reasonable price, Sun Youth offers transportation and lunch.

Each year, the members get a chance to visit various locations such as Quebec City, Park Omega in Montebello (a wildlife park where animals roam free) and enjoy events such as the Tulip Festival in Ottawa and the Mondial des Cultures in Drummondville. They also go shopping in Vermont, apple-picking and sugaring-off in season and take cruises. Apart from these trips, theme-oriented parties are also organized throughout the year: Mothers’ and Fathers’ day, Hallowe’en, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Easter.

The Seniors Club is self-funded by its members. In addition to membership fees, events are also organized to help finance the club’s activities. One of the events is the Seniors Club Annual Bazaar. Each year, volunteers of the club invite bargain hunters to take advantage of incredible offers on new and used goods. The very popular Bingo activity and the theme-oriented parties also help to finance the Seniors Club’s activities.

The members of the Seniors Club are also very much involved Sun Youth through volunteer work. They are responsible for individually wrapping the 12,000 brand new toys distributed to families in need through our Holiday Baskets Campaign.

For more information on the Sun Youth Seniors Club, please contact Mr. Tom Stewart, President of the Club at 514-842-6356. We hope you will become part of our big family!

Every day a blast at Sun Youth summer camp

Sun Youth day campers enjoying a ride on the Garden Train at Exporail

Nicolas Carpentier

What a summer it's been at Sun Youth, especially for the children at our day camp.

Despite the poor weather conditions, every day was a blast for the 80 kids. Throughout the summer, our friendly counselors organized many activities to put smiles on the faces of the young campers.

This year, day camp started June 23. As usual, parents registered their children months in advance to be sure to get a spot. Parents appreciate that for a very reasonable cost, their children are busy all summer long and fed breakfast and a hot lunch, plus a snack in the afternoon, enough for plenty of energy. Children are grouped by ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12, with 18 counselors supervising.

Day camp is a great place to make new friends. Kids come from very different backgrounds, both socially and culturally. Special financial arrangements are made with parents living on limited incomes. The maximum fee for the full 8 weeks is $500.

Outings included a day at the waterslides, fun in the sun at Sablon Beach and Parc Jean-Drapeau beach, a Jungle Adventure trip at the Laval resort for the two younger groups, and bowling trips every other week. At Sun Youth, they took part in photo club activities and arts & crafts on alternating weeks. Big thanks go to Wayne Oliver (photo club) and Carlos Anglarill (arts & crafts) for organizing these activities.

One of the most popular activities this summer was the visit to Exporail at the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant. On July 25, eleven enthusiastic nine-to-ten-year-olds enjoyed a day of fun and activities, riding the streetcar and the Garden Train, driving miniature trains and climbing aboard locomotives. The visit was organized by Exporail and CIT Roussillon, the South Shore transit company that recently inaugurated regular daily service to the museum, to celebrate Exporail's new door-to-door accessibility from downtown Montreal, providing lunch and transportation and a conductor's hat for every camper.

Camp ended August 15 with the traditional talent show for parents. After a day at the waterslides, the children returned to Sun Youth for a dinner with their parents. There were prizes for campers, such as Best Smile and Most Helpful. For every group there was also a ÒSuper CamperÓ chosen. These four lucky kids won brand new bicycles.

Campers displayed their skills on stage, ending with a video montage showcasing the summer's highlights.

Registration for next year's Sun Youth Day Camp begins March 2009.

Info: 514-842-6822

Coming through in a big way

Tommy Kulczyk, Sun Youth Assistant to the Executive VP and Director of Emergency Services, with Lyne Lavoie, the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation's Director of Administration and Grants

Nicolas Carpentier

In July’s column we related how the Sun Youth Food Bank was having tough times because of greater demand and increasing food and gas prices. We are pleased to announce that our cry for help was well heard among the public, companies and community groups.

In response to our appeal, many organizations arranged food drives throughout Montreal. Individuals assisted us with shopping spree purchases brought to Sun Youth, and important cash donations were also made by the public, including many Senior Times readers.

So many people helped out that it would be impossible to name them all. Notable gifts include $20,000 for food purchases from the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation , and thirty Montreal Scotiabank branches and Concordia University have been collecting non-perishable goods since our appeal was made. Senior citizens have also done their part. The Côte St-Luc Senior Men’s Club responded with an ongoing drive for non-perishable items. Major supporters have included Heinz Canada, St-Viateur Bagel and countless others.

Radio and TV coverage also helped, and special thanks go to Corus Québec for broadcasting a public service announcement on its 6 local radio stations.

So far donations have filled over 70 bins, or over 24,000 non-perishable food items! Though impressive, we encourage the public to continue helping as the toughest weeks are still ahead of us. From all of us, thanks for your immense generosity.

The Running Room/Walking Room is once again organizing a 3 & 5 mile race on Mount Royal with all profits going to Sun Youth, to be held Saturday, August 9 at 9 am. There’s still time to register – fees are $30. For info call Race Director Caroline Kronlov at 514-730-7804.

Shortage of food, abundance of spirit

Sun Youth volunteers gather around former Seniors Club president Mary Murphy at a recognition ceremony

Nicolas Carpentier

Summer is a season of firsts: the first time you ride a bicycle, the first time away from your parents at summer camp or the first time you move into your own apartment.

At Sun Youth, this summer brings something new. Our food bank is short of food. For the first time in 54 years, Sun Youth has embarked on a summer non-perishable food drive to replenish its almost empty warehouse shelves.

A number of factors are responsible for the shortage. An increase in food prices is affecting our purchasing capacity and that of our donors. We purchase less food with the same amount of money. Soaring gas prices aren’t helping either, adding to the financial burden of our clientele, mainly low-income workers who need their vehicles. This means more people come to Sun Youth for assistance.

Food donations are less of a priority in summer. With an increase in demand fuelled by these realities, we are forced to contemplate reducing quantities of food given to our clients.

With 2,500 families assisted every month, Sun Youth desperately needs donations of non-perishable food. They can be dropped off at Sun Youth, 4251 Saint-Urbain. Call 514-842-6822 or visit sunyouthorg.com to make a monetary donation specifying that the donation is intended to buy food.

On a more positive note, Sun Youth recently honoured its volunteers, many of whom are members of the Seniors Club. We paid tribute to the former President of the Sun Youth Seniors Club, Mary Murphy with the unveiling of a painting.

From all of us at Sun Youth, pleasant summer wishes. Enjoy the pleasant weather but keep us in your hearts.

Sun Youth teams up with the Montreal Police

Sun Youth’s new partner in crime… prevention! The Montreal Police’s new mascot Flik! surrounded by Inspector Sylvain Lemay, Nina McGregor, Director of Sun Youth’s Crime Prevention Helio Galego and Polinours, the former SPVM mascot.

Nicolas Carpentier

Since its inception in 1954, Sun Youth has always worked hand in hand with the Montreal Police to make our community safer for everyone, young and old alike. In 1984 our organization started its Bike Patrol Unit, comprised of 6 patrollers working with the officers of one single station, the old Montreal Police Station 17 (which has since then become the Firefighters museum).

Now 24 years later, 30 patrollers will once again act as the eyes and ears of the Montreal Police in the city’s parks and playgrounds, on bike paths and on main streets. Throughout Montreal Island, patrollers will work in teams of two, with each team assigned to a different neighbourhood police station in a total of 11 districts. For 6 of the patrollers, whose ages range from 14 to 17, this will be their first working experience. Hired as part of the “Teens on Patrol” unit, each will be paired with a senior patroller in a mentor-to-tutor relationship.

The entire crew will be introduced to the public on June 4th at the official swearing in ceremony. Distinguished guests will be in attendance, including Inspector Marco Carriera and Commander Alain Larivière, as well as govern­ment representatives and city officials. Prior to the ceremony, patrollers will receive CPR training and a bicycle safety course from a longtime partner of Sun Youth, Sergeant Pascal Richard.

The Sun Youth patrollers will be supporting the 100 members of the Montreal Police Bicycle Patrol. In this photo: our patrollers surrounded by Agent Cédric Lafrenière (left) and Sergeant Pascal Richard (right).

For the second summer in a row, the Sun Youth bike patrol will work in partnership with the CN Police to evaluate the number of people crossing over the CN railway outside of designated areas, a dangerous behavior that CN Police officers are trying to eliminate. Bike patrollers will also have a mandate to keep a close watch for people using their wireless phones without hands-free devices while driving. As of July 1 this will carry a $115 fine plus a penalty of three license demerit points.

Throughout summer the patrol will represent Sun Youth at many public events. Génie Vélo, a series of bike safety workshops for children, will be presented in association with the Montreal Police, with Sun Youth patrollers taking part in different crime prevention projects.

Patrollers Vanessa Di Tullio (left) and Rubens Ernest (right) pose alongside Montreal Police Chief Yvan Delorme at an event highlighting National Police Week.

As in past years, the Bike Patrol will pay special attention to senior citizens. Visits will be made to residential and long term care centers, bringing company and conversation to residents. During heat waves, the patrollers will give advice to seniors on how to stay cool. Patrollers will also be dispensing home safety tips.

Sun Youth and the Montreal Police recently introduced a new member of the Force. His name is Flik! and he is the new mascot of the SPVM. He is replacing the former mascot, his father Polinours, who is retiring after 30 years of loyal service. The name of this new furry friend was chosen in a contest won by 9-year-old Nina McGregor, a student from the Gerald McShane School in Montreal-North. She has been rewarded by Sun Youth with a brand new fully-equipped mountain bike, in addition to being named Police Officer for a Day. As for our patrollers, they will once again be using Schwinn bicycles donated by Dorel Industries. All patrollers are equipped with a first aid kit, blanket and Sun Youth teddy bears. Each team is also equipped with walkie-talkies to communicate with the Sun Youth headquarters and with one another. The Sun Youth Bike Patrol will be active until August 15.

Bike giveaway at Sun Youth

Nicolas Carpentier

After a winter that seemed to last forever, spring is finally upon us. Here at Sun Youth, this means one thing: it’s the beginning of Bicycle Month. Throughout May, various events will underscore this yearly tradition. Brand new bicycles will be distributed to deserving children on May 2 and on May 17, refurbished bikes will be handed out to underprivileged families as part of the “Recyc-a-Bike” promotion.

For the 25th consecutive year, an anonymous donor known to the public only as “Bikeman” will allow Sun Youth the distribution of about 60 new bicycles to youths whose actions have had a positive impact on their community or to young people who will have shown extraordinary courage when facing exceptional circumstances. Since last February, Sun Youth’s Bicycle Committee has received over 120 applications from which it will select the best candidates to be honored at the May 2nd ceremony. These exceptional children will also receive a protective helmet and bicycle lock.

Then on May 17, from 10am to 4pm, partners Houle Toyota and Sun Youth will team up with Musiqueplus/Musimax and Radio-Énergie to distribute some 450 refurbished bicycles that were donated by Montrealers last November and geared-up by Houle Toyota’s mechanics in their spare time throughout last winter. In May of 2007, this activity was a huge success and every single bicycle collected and refurbished by the Toyota dealership found its way into the hands of underprivileged Montreal families.

Bicycles of all sizes (children to adult) will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis to families pre-registered for the event. Volunteers from Musiqueplus/Musimax and Radio-Énergie will be helping out with this effort, and with a barbecue for everyone to enjoy. It’s all happening at Houle Toyota (12305 Sherbrooke East). There may still be spots available for families who wish to receive these free bicycles so people are encouraged to contact Sun Youth (514-842-6822) for further information.

From everyone here at Sun Youth, happy Bicycle Month and be safe on the roads and bike paths!

Model train show to benefit Sun Youth

Nicolas Carpentier

Model train enthusiasts will want to mark the weekend of April 19 in their agenda because one of the biggest model train shows in Quebec is back at Sun Youth for the third year in a row. The show was originally started in 1990 and held at various locations including Marché Bonsecours and the Montreal (Blue Bonnets) Hippodrome. Since 2006, the event has been back in the Sun Youth gymnasium where it all started 18 years ago.

I recently had the chance to speak to the person responsible for creating this event. His name is Ivan Dow and he has been an enthusiast for many years. For Mr. Dow, model railroading is a great hobby because it involves multiple aspects, such as electronics, architecture, landscaping and design. It also involves some history since layouts are often created with a specific era in mind. Mr. Dow will once again be present at the model train show exhibiting his “Thomas the Tank” layout.

The show's organizer, the British Model Railway Club of Montreal, will exhibit a four-square-meter modular layout created by its team of nearly 30 Canadian and British expatriate enthusiasts. Sun Youth has worked closely with BMRCM's David Tozer over the past several months to set up this event. He notes that it offers collectors a chance to discover hard-to-find items and competitive prices by bringing together multiple vendors under one roof. There will also be activities organized for children, teens, adults and seniors. Guests will be able to operate some of the layouts presented and learn about the technical aspects of model railroading with the many clinics and demonstrations offered.

It’s all happening at Sun Youth Organization (4251 St-Urbain, between Rachel and Marie-Anne) on Saturday, April 19 from 10 to 5 and Sunday, April 20 from 10 to 3. Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children under 18, free for children under 6. Since parking around Sun Youth can be problematic, free parking will be available at Home Depot (on Beaubien, between Park Avenue and St-Laurent Boulevard) with a free shuttle service to Sun Youth.

For more information about this fundraiser please contact Mr. David Tozer at 514-245-7691 or at tozerdd@sympatico.ca.