Montreal, April 30, 2008 -  Centraide of Greater Montreal hosted its annual recognition event, Distinctions, this evening and honoured generosity towards the less fortunate by awarding four prizes to community agencies and volunteers in its network as well as eight prizes to corporations that distinguished themselves during the last Centraide campaign.

The Agnes C. Higgins Award (agency of the year) was presented to Patro Le Prevost, the Gilles Cousineau Award (agency director of the year) went to Sylvie Rochette, Executive Director of the Regroupement des Magasins-Partage de l'île de Montréal, and the Antoinette Robidoux Award (volunteer of the year) was granted to Lucie Rondeau, who works at OMPAC - Organisation multiressources pour les personnes atteintes de cancer. Centraide also recognized youth volunteering by presenting the Antoinette Robidoux Award - Young Volunteer Category to Christian Girard of Les Scouts du Montréal métropolitain.

Eight corporations and organizations received Solidaires in recognition of their outstanding involvement, and the great generosity of their employees, during Centraide's 2007 fundraising campaign. CAE was awarded the Solidaires for Overall Support.  The Solidaires for Employee Campaigns went to Pratt & Whitney Canada (1,000 plus employees), Ultramar (250 to 999 employees) and Accenture (249 employees or less). The Solidaires for First Employee Campaign was granted to Air Canada Technical Services. The Solidaires for Leadership Giving Campaigns (donations of $1,000 or more) were presented to National Bank of Canada (1,000 plus employees) and Ernst & Young (999 employees or less). And the members of Local 510, CAW Quebec, Pratt & Whitney Canada, earned the Solidaires for Trade Union Support for the second year in a row.