A huge thank you on behalf of all the Elves, and all those who, without your generosity, would not have been able to visit the Village this year, and also on behalf of the community organizations that support them!
Initiatives by Village Employees
The Polar Express Fund owes a great deal to its employees who are clearly and legitimately proud that their employer provides such support to the community. They have launched various initiatives or volunteer their time to promote the Polar Express by participating in its success, outside of the months of the year when they are acting as Elves!
A Huge Thank You to Our Generous Patrons
Finally, it should also be emphasized that the Polar Express Fund regularly benefits from generous contributions from private sponsors who wish to use their financial capacity for the benefit of the common good. By supporting the Village’s cause in favour of children from less favoured socio-economic backgrounds, they derive a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction.
The Community Organizations
All the money collected on behalf of the Polar Express Fund is used exclusively to pay the admission fees of groups through community organizations. As a result, a fairly impressive number of 117 community organizations have been able to pass on the benefits of the Polar Express Fund to their cared-for.
Criteria for Eligibility
Community organizations that meet one or other of the following criteria allow them to benefit from free access to the Village’s site:
- An organization that supports or offers help to a socioeconomically less advantaged clientele and that would not have the financial means to pay the admission fees and therefore to benefit from the Village;
- An organization involved in child development or offering support to families;
- An organization that serves a clientele for whom the Village is not a natural destination because they are struggling with a particular problem, disability, etc.
Organizations Working in All Spheres of Personal Assistance
Here are some of the community organizations whose cared-for, their children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents or great-grandparents have been able to visit the Village since 2011 through the Polar Express:
Child Development or Protection
Fondation du Dr. Julien, Centre Jeunesse de Montréal, Centre Jeunesse de Laval, Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine, Cal en bourg 0-5 ans, École de la Carrière, École Horizon-Soleil, Maison des enfants le Dauphin, L’école des Alizés, École Fleur-des-Neiges, Héberjeune de Parc Extension, L’oasis des enfants, Centre de pédiatrie sociale, and more…
Family Wellness
Maison Pause-Parent, Entre Parents de Montréal-Nord, Escale Famille Le Triolet, Centre d’entraide Racine-Lavoie, Famijeunes de Saint-Henri, Friendship Circle, Maison nouvel horizon, Maison de la Famille du Nord, La Maison des Parents de Bordeaux-Cartierville, Familles en action, Coup de pouce jeunesse, La Maison Parenfant, Le jardin de la famille, Le Relais Familial d’Auteuil, La Maisonnette des Parents, and more…
Women's Aid or Shelters
Maison L’Esther, RFOI, Maison La Source, Le Parados, Maison de Lina, Maison du réconfort, Centre des femmes de Montréal, Single MOMtreal, La Dauphinelle, L’Envol, Maison l’Océane, Regard en Elle, Un rayon de soleil à Montréal-Nord, L’Ombre-Elle, Regard en Elle, and more…
Help for Persons with Specific Disabilities or Difficulties
Autisme Montréal, Maison des femmes sourdes de Montréal, Société Alzheimer, Le Camp Soleil de Melissa, PEHDAA (learning disabilities), APHIL (mentally handicapped people), Intégration Travail, La Maison des parents d’enfants handicapés des Laurentides, Les Services du Chat botté (autism), L’Association de la Rive-Sud pour la Déficience Intellectuelle, L’Association du Québec pour Enfants avec Problèmes Auditifs, Les Papillons de Nominingue, Les Répits de Gaby, Camp Yaldei, and more…
Support in Certain Underprivileged Areas
Mission Bon Accueil, Service de garde chez Caro, Garderie la forêt enchantée, Association Récréative Milton-Parc, SDG L’univers Calinours, CCS Collective Community Services, Sharon Sweeney Community (NDG), École Saint-Octave (Montreal-East), and more…
Camps Offering Respite for Parents
Camp Richelieu, Centre Communidée, Le Centre de répit aux 4 Poches, Le Centre de loisirs adaptés, Centre Marcelle et Jean Coutu, and more…
And countless others with extraordinary vocations!
YMCA (numerous vocations), Club Optimiste (support to organizations), Fondation Marie-Vincent (sexually abused children), Portage mère-enfant (drug-addicted people), Centre Air-Som/Prisme (services to immigrants or refugees), Le Relais de Mascouche (food assistance/baskets), La Mèreveille (perinatal resources), La Chaumière (elderly people), Centre L’Impulsion (adult education), and more…
Eloquent Testimonials
If we are to believe the many testimonials from people who have benefited from the Polar Express by experiencing moments of pure magic, escape and adventure, the experience of the employees who welcomed them, and the gratitude shown by the community organizations themselves, this initiative is one of the best respites that people who are unfortunately struggling with more difficulties than the average person can hope for.
