$131,535 raised by Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation

With a turnout of 413 people the event was termed an overwhelming success. "Not only did the foundation attract such a large number of supporters - but as important - the representation of people was varied and extensive, covering many sectors of community life - from all levels of government to prominent businesspersons to members of the educational milieu, and arts, sports and volunteer organizations," summed up Mr. Bletas.

Mr. Bletas who has been the one and only Chairman of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, stated publicly at the event that he was both honoured and proud to be associated with such a large number of dedicated individuals whose goal is to assist schools obtain the necessary technology needed by students and teachers in their efforts to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"Tonight, we celebrate the accomplishment of a goal – the raising of money for the purchase of interactive whiteboards for all schools and centres of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Mr. Bletas stated, adding that the whiteboards will help the schools surf into the 21st century with state of the art technological tools with whose aid students can leap into quality learning for future success.

"The presence of so many supporters at the fundraiser, reaffirmed my belief and conviction that education is the ultimate investment in the future," Mr. Bletas told Courrier Laval Weekly News. "Someone once told me that a foundation can only be as strong as its board of directors, and I have to admit that I couldn't have asked for a better team to administer the (Laurier) Foundation and make it grow so rapidly," Mr. Bletas added in praise of the handful of community leaders who have steered the work of the foundation throughtout its growth and development. In particular, Mr. Bletas thanked Foundation chairperson François Ghali for his leadership, his belief in the cause from the very beginning, his patience, his time, and his perseverance.

The Laurier Board chairman thanked Mr. Ghali and the board of directors, for having brought the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation to life. "It is with great pride that I have watched the Foundation grow into such a successful entity, an entity that, even at such early stages, has already been very helpful to the school board," Mr. Bletas told the 400 people who had gathered for Cabaretmania 2007 at the Château Royal.

"Education has long been recognized as the most important factor in improving society," Mr. Ghali stated at the fundraiser, adding that countries such as England, where investment in education surpasses that of Italy, Germany and France, have had greater success in their fight against poverty.

"I cite England in particular because nearly 80% of its schools are equipped with interactive whiteboards like those we plan to supply for our schools. Studies have shown that students who have access to interactive boards improve their academic performance by 15%," Mr. Ghali explained.

Mr. Ghali deplored the lack of technology in Québec, noting that 40% of households do not have a computer. As to the 600 interactive whiteboards sold in Quebec, the majority are either in private schools or in business establishments, he pointed out.

Emphasizing that there is an acute need in public schools for upgrading of technological tools available to students and teachers, Mr. Ghali signaled out the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation as a major player in redressing the situation.

"In 2006, the Foundation allied itself with Caisse Desjardins and Mr. Joé Bélanger in an effort to equip all schools and centres of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board with whiteboards," Mr. Ghali stated, expressing his thanks on behalf of the Foundation's board of directors to Mr. Bélanger for his dedication, personal involvement and constant support for the project.

Admitting that it takes many people to ensure the success of any human endeavour, Mr. Ghali acknowledged the contribution of sponsors and partners and the personal involvement of Mike Bossy who together with Mr. Bélanger co-chaired the Cabaretmania fund-raising event.

Saving some of his best for last, Mr. Ghali was emphatic in his tribute to Mr. Steve Bletas as the founder and major force behind the foundation. "Mr. Bletas has provided the Foundation with the leadership of an uncommon man, a visionary who cannot be intimated, a hard worker who is not concerned with applause meters, a straightforward man who does not sell tomorrow for cheers today," Mr. Ghali stated, concluding with an invitation for Mr. Bletas to "please rise for your own merits and let those 15,000 boys and girls of your schools rise behind you."

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation's next event is a Lobsterfest scheduled for June 7, 2007 at the Chalet des Erables.

(Photo: Martin Alarie)

(Photos: Martin Alarie)