MEDIA ADVISORY FOR DECEMBER 13, 2017
40th ANNUAL HOLIDAY MEAL IS EXPECTED TO BE CHEZ DORIS’ LARGEST EVER
MONTREAL – On December 13, 2017, Chez Doris will serve 240 women a holiday meal, the largest group ever, at the reception hall of Evangel Church. Women who are homeless, affected by poverty, and/or health and mental health problems will be served by police officers from stations 12 and 20, as well as other volunteers, and will be entertained by showman extraordinaire, Sheldon Kagan. Kagan, who’s provided entertainment for weddings, corporate and special events for 50 years, will animate with Guy Trottier, a long-time DJ and MC. Professional championship ballroom dancers, Sarah-Maude Thibaudeau and Daniel Zaharia, will perform and women will be serenaded by singer, Matt Mardini. Retired police officers, dressed as Santa (Stephen Roberts) and his Elf (Ron Durand), will be on hand for pictures with the women (taken by retired crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg). The celebration will include a holiday meal, dancing, games, hula hoops, prizes, and will end with the distribution of personalized presents and other gifts. Major contributors for the event are: B’nai Brith Québec which contributed towards the food, Sheldon Kagan for the entertainment, the Evangel Church for full use of their hall, an anonymous donor for the personalised presents, as well as gifts from the Shoebox Project.
“When I retired wanted to find a way to give back to the community and I researched various charities and not for profit organizations, and found that Chez Doris is an amazing charity that does so much for women in need. And that is why I decided to support them,” said Sheldon Kagan.
“Considering the increase in the number of women who use our services and our lack of space to celebrate collectively as one large group, we are thrilled to be able to offer a first-rate holiday party for our clients. This will be a great event to take them away from their daily stress which includes poverty and homelessness,” said Talar Dikijian, Chez Doris’ President of the Board of Directors.
SCHEDULE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS WHO HAVE RSVP’D:
Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Location: The Evangel Church, a Pentecostal Church located at 2154 Sainte-Catherine Street West (near the Atwater Metro and the former Children’s Hospital).
7:00 AM: Doors open to volunteers for set up.
9:00 AM: Hall doors open to Chez Doris clientele. Women will be greeted by holiday music. Fruit, croissants, muffins will be available on the tables.
10:00 AM: Bingo and prizes.
10:30 AM: Dancers, Sarah-Maude Thibaudeau and Daniel Zaharia, to perform
10:50 AM: Continuation of bingo and super prices to be won!
11:15 AM: Volunteers arrive receive training and to serve (these will include police officers from stations 12 and 20). Christmas music to follow as well as animation. Photo booth will be available as will Santa and elf for pictures.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: The Christmas lunch starts.
1:00 – 1:30 PM: Matt Mardini to sing (or when desserts will be on the table).
1:30 – 3:00 PM: Dancing, games, hula hoops, and prizes.
3:00 PM: Gift distribution will begin.
4:00 PM: End of the party and clean-up
ABOUT CHEZ DORIS: Chez Doris offers services and programs to provide for women’s most basic and immediate needs related to coping with homelessness, poverty, mental illness and/or addictions. It is the only women’s day shelter in Montréal open 7 days a week, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. or until 4:00 PM. Services include: breakfast and lunch; access to showers, hygienic products, and a clothing depot; emergency food bags; 6 respite beds; telephone information and referral assistance; custodial services and a financial management program; an Inuit assistance program; an Aboriginal housing program; health and mental health services; legal & tax filing services; as well as educational and socio-recreational integration programs. Chez Doris’ drop-in program welcomes up to 100 women per day, representing approximately 26,000 visits per year and provides more than 37,000 meals annually.
ABOUT SHELDON KAGAN: In 2015, Sheldon Kagan decided to call it a career after 50 years of being a well-established DJ, party planner, concert promoter and impresario in Montreal. Aside from enjoying his retirement, he now devotes his time to mentoring young musicians and charitable work.
ABOUT SARAH-MAUDE THIBAUDEAU AND DANIEL ZAHARIA: Sarah-Maude Thibaudeau and Daniel Zaharia have been dancing together for two years. They are the top 3 Canadian dance sport athletes in the 10-dance division at the National Championship and are two-time Quebec champions in 2016 and 2017. This summer, they represented Canada at the prestigious WorldGames 2017 and at the WorldCup 2017 in Moscow, Russia on December 3rd.
ABOUT MATT MARDINI: Matt Mardini is a crooner singer based in Montreal, originally from Aleppo, Syria, and moved to Canada to make a new life for himself and his family. He has more than 19 years of professional experience singing for a wide range of events all over the world, from corporate get-togethers, to weddings, to private parties, and everything in between. He is working now on his first album of original songs.
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CONTACT FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW, OR FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Marina Boulos, Executive Director
Cell: 514-654-7597
marina.boulos@chezdoris.org