Fundraiser: taking the fast lane in support of L’Arche de la Capitale-Nationale

Quebec City, August 26, 2021—Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume is calling on the local business community to participate in a fundraiser for L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale, a community serving people with intellectual disabilities. Those interested in supporting L'Arche are invited to donate $100 and try out one of the electric bikes provided by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale's (RTC) bike-sharing service. The bike tour will take place on Wednesday, September 15, at 1:30 p.m., under the honorary co-chairmanship of Jean- François Chalifoux, President and CEO of Beneva, the new company created when La Capitale and SSQ Insurance decided to combine operations. Quebec City and Beneva will each donate $5,000 to L’Arche to help it pursue its mission.

“It is with some emotion that I ask Quebec City's business community one last time to lend a helping hand to an organization whose mission is particularly dear to me,” said Labeaume. “The people who work for Quebec City’s many charity organizations are dedicated, generous and caring. They have impressed and inspired me over the past fourteen years, and I hope that this latest show of generosity will benefit people living with intellectual disabilities and the caregivers who tend to their well-being and development on a daily basis.”

“L’Arche does essential work. I commend the professionals who work tirelessly to support the full development of people living with intellectual disabilities. At Beneva, we strongly believe in the importance of social involvement and community support. I ask the business community to come out in large numbers to join the bike ride on September 15 and donate generously to this important cause,” said Chalifoux.

The 45-minute tour will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale day centre, located at 360 Saint-Vallier Street West, in the Saint-Sauveur district (next to Durocher Park), and end at approximately 2:15 p.m. in front of City Hall, located at 2 des Jardins Street.

The event is an opportunity to introduce the charitable cyclists to the RTC’s new bicycles, which are at the disposal of the population on a self-service basis. The 100 electric bicycles that are currently distributed throughout the city will be made available to fundraiser participants. There is a limit of 100 participants.

“The bike-sharing concept will be well demonstrated on September 10. I'm thrilled the RTC is making its 100 electrically-assisted bicycles available to those participating in the L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale fundraiser,” said RTC President Rémy Normand. “Discovery, support and fun will be the order of the day.”

“It’s an honour for us to have been chosen by the Mayor, Jean-Francois Chalifoux and Rémy Normand for this fun and inspiring activity,” said L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale’s Director Érik Pirro. “We are touched by Labeaume's compassion and interest in people with differences. I have no doubt that L'Arche's benevolence will resonate with you as well!”

You can register for the bike tour and make a donation online at arche-quebec.ca or by calling 418 527-8839, up until the day of the event.

About L’Arche de la Capitale-Nationale

L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale has four residential homes and a day centre in the Saint-Sauveur district, which provide a family environment for people living with an intellectual disability and promote their full development. The 20 people who live there are accompanied by assistants who live with them. They share their daily life, their work, their joys and their sorrows in a family and fraternal atmosphere. L'Arche de la Capitale-Nationale is a member of the International Federation of L'Arche Communities, working in more than 152 communities in 37 countries. There are eight communities in Quebec.

About Beneva

Beneva was created by the coming together of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance to become the largest mutual insurance company in Canada with more than 3.5 million members and customers. Beneva employs over 5,000 dedicated employees: people looking out for people. Its human approach is rooted in mutualist values that are shared by its employees. With $25 billion in assets, Beneva positions itself as a major player in the insurance and financial services industry. Its head office is located in Quebec City. For more information, please consult beneva.ca.

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Sources

Isabelle Drouin
Communications Services
418 641-6210
[email protected]