MONTREAL, Aug. 27, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The 5^th annual Centraide Cup raised $200,000 to fight poverty in Greater Montreal. This was announced at noon today at the new Stade de soccer de Montréal, where this benefit soccer tournament, opposing some 400 employees from 20 companies, is being held today and tomorrow.

The funds raised will allow Centraide of Greater Montreal to support or develop effective programs that prevent school dropout and improve the quality of life for vulnerable youth, families and individuals.

"I want to thank the companies and their employees who raise funds and devote time and energy to change lives" said Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal. "Their tremendous support will make it possible to assist agencies that stimulate the development of young children, encourage academic perseverance, prevent homelessness, and support parents and families."

In addition to the continuous matches that will take place all day, there was a soccer skills contest in which young people helped by agencies teamed up with some of the players and well-known personalities. Singer Corneille, as well as actor Guillaume Perreault and RDS reporter Émilie Duquette were among the generous participants.

The companies competing for the highly coveted Centraide Cup are Aéroports de Montréal, BMO Financial Group, Bombardier, CAE, Centraide team powered by Saputo, CGI, Hydro-Québec, iA Financial Group, Manulife, McKesson Canada, METRO, Mouvement Desjardins, National Bank, Passion Soccer Boutique, Pharmascience, Pratt & Whitney Canada, RBC Royal Bank, SNC-Lavalin, TD Bank and The Jean Coutu Group (PJC).

Since its inception in 2012, the Centraide Cup has raised a total of about $1.7 million.

A big thank you to our partners: Manulife – sponsor of the Family Area; Ville de Montréal – official sponsor of the Stade de soccer de Montréal; and METRO – official food partner.

Centraide of Greater Montreal is an independent organization managed by a board of directors that is representative of the community. It serves Laval, Montreal and the South Shore. About 57,000 volunteers are involved in the agencies it supports, and another 22,000 work on its annual campaign. Centraide is supported by some 1,600 private and public sector companies and organizations as well as by large trade unions. Its 2016 fundraising campaign will be launched officially on September 29. To find out more: centraide-mtl.org.

SOURCE Centraide of Greater Montreal

Image with caption: "The 5th Centraide Cup raises $200,000. From left to right: Dimitrios Jim Beis, Borough Mayor, Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Member Executive Committee, Guillaume Perreault, Actor, Émilie Duquette, Journalist, RDS, Corneille, Signer, songwriter, and Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director, Centraide of Greater Montreal. (CNW Group/Centraide of Greater Montreal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160827_C4608_PHOTO_EN_760873.jpg