RBC Olympians Clara Hughes, Perdita Felicien
and Caroline Ouellette Donate $15,000 to Right to Play
Canadian athletes pay it forward through the
RBC Olympians Grant Program
RBC Olympians Caroline Ouellette, Perdita Felicien and Clara Hughes present Right To Play National Director Robert Witchel with a $15,000 donation as part of the RBC Olympian Grant Program.
TORONTO, November 29, 2012 - RBC Olympians Clara
Hughes, Perdita Felicien and Caroline Ouellette have each
donated a $5,000 RBC Olympian grant to Right To Play, a global
organization that uses sport to empower children. The donations
were made last night at a fundraising dinner held at grano
restaurant in Toronto.
This year, RBC offered its 37 Olympic and Paralympic athletes
the opportunity to recognize the organizations and people
who have impacted their lives. The RBC Olympians Grant Program
provides athletes with a $5,000 grant to donate to an athletic
association, community group or charity that has fostered
their love of sport or touched their lives.
"Sport has taught me many things and one of the most
important is the idea of giving back, whether it's time, money
or simply caring," said six-time Olympic medalist Clara
Hughes. "The power of sport and play is something that
transformed me as a young person and it is why I'm donating
my grant to the PLAY programs in Ontario to help foster leadership
in Aboriginal youth within First Nation communities."
Right To Play is an organization focused on using sport and
play to educate and empower children and youth to overcome
the effects of poverty, conflict, and disease in disadvantaged
countries. Founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time
Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur, Right To Play
helps children build essential life skills and better futures.To
learn more visit www.righttoplay.ca.
"Right To Play was the clear choice for me when it was
time to pick my RBC grant recipient," said Perdita Felicien,
a two-time world champion. "Sport has changed my life
for the better and I've seen first hand how Right To Play
programs have positively impacted the lives of children around
the world."
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Caroline Ouellette agreed,
"I'm very excited for this opportunity to give back.
I was able to witness first hand in Benin, Africa, the benefits
of Right To Play in the lives of children in disadvantaged
communities and I'm very proud to be a part of the RBC program
and to give back to Right To Play."
As Canada's longest standing corporate supporter of the
Canadian Olympic Team, RBC has been helping amateur athletes
since 1947. Through the RBC Olympians Program, athletes act
as community ambassadors across the country by sharing their
Olympic and Paralympic Games experiences and future aspirations
with schools, community groups, RBC clients and employees.
More information on the RBC Olympians can be found at rbc.com/community-sustainability/community/olympic-sponsors/rbc-olympians.html
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For more information, please contact:
Jackie Braden,
RBC, 416.974-1724
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