Bulldogs Foundation Media Conference
1HAMILTON, ONTARIO -- Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club Owner and Bulldogs Foundation Chairman Michael Andlauer announced today that the Foundation will contribute $125,000 to 17 Hamilton area high-needs schools for its Dawgs Breakfast Program this school year.
"After consulting with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), we felt the Bulldogs Foundation needed to broaden its support," Andlauer said. "Families in our own backyard are living at or below the poverty line and, in some cases, a school breakfast or snack program may be a child's only meal of the day. Students who benefit from the Dawgs Breakfast Program are able to start their day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast, allowing them to focus on learning instead of an empty stomach."
Through consultation with representatives from both the HWDSB and HWCDSB, 13 elementary schools and two high schools were designated as Dawgs Breakfast Program beneficiaries for this school year: Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School, Bennetto Elementary School, Cathy Weaver Elementary School, Dr. Davey Elementary School, Hess Street Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Queen Victoria Elementary School, Roxborough Park Elementary School, St. Ann (Hamilton) Catholic School, St. Brigid Catholic School, St. Lawrence Catholic School, St. Michael Catholic School, St. Patrick Catholic School, Sir John A. McDonald Secondary School and Cathedral High School. Two additional schools supported under the previous program will continue to receive funding: Barton Secondary School and Parkview Secondary School.
"School nutritional programs are often integral to academic success for students," said Julie Densham, Foundation Development Officer for the HWDSB. "The amount of work and dedication to these programs from staff and volunteers is often underestimated and so are the related costs to ensure every student can benefit. Often, this can be a whole school need, so when generous organizations like the Bulldogs Foundation choose these programs as a beneficiary of their work and dedication to the community, it is a celebratory time for all partners."
"The Bulldogs Foundation's donation to the breakfast programs at St. Ann (Hamilton), St. Brigid, St. Lawrence, St. Michael, St. Patrick, and Cathedral High Schools is very much appreciated," said Corrado Ciapanna, Superintendent of Education for the HWCDSB. "This will help to sustain and enhance the programs at these sites. When we first initiated the breakfast program we noticed that student attendance improved and that the student's attention to work was better."
The Bulldogs Foundation was established in 2007. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich the lives of children and youth in the Greater Hamilton Area through cash donations, gifts in kind and the assignment of tickets. By doing so, the Foundation aims to promote the creativity of interactive programs involving education, physical fitness and personal well-being. The main purpose of the Foundation is to strengthen and broaden the base of the Hamilton Bulldogs community support by providing funds to non-profit community groups and by supporting educational and community programs. Through the Foundation, the Bulldogs operate the Dawgs Breakfast Program, which has allowed over 2,000 students at high-needs Hamilton schools to start the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast annually. With this increase in contribution, the reach of the Dawgs Breakfast Program will expand to 5,000 students this school year.
For more information on how to support the Dawgs Breakfast Program, visit www.bulldogsfoundation.com or call 905-777-2368.