As a media company, we have an extraordinary ability to help charities raise their public profiles, increase public awareness of their causes and, by extension, optimize their fundraising campaigns. Our employees work in 45 cities in eight provinces, and we are actively involved in every community where we are present.

In Fiscal 2009, we provided the equivalent of over $20 million in assistance to a large number of organizations from coast to coast. We promoted hundreds of public service campaigns on our television channels, radio stations and advertising panels. A few of the main projects in which we participated in Fiscal 2009 are:

The Astral National Day of Caring for Kids Radiothon Raises $7 million On Thursday, April 29, over $7 million were raised by over 50 of Astral’s English-language radio stations in 30 cities across Canada during the Astral National Day of Caring for Kids Radiothon to benefit 20 children’s hospitals and health care facilities across the country.

Astral fulfills its $3 million commitment to support multiple sclerosis research In Fiscal 2009, Astral fulfilled its long-term commitment to provide $3 million in advertising space to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC) for a multiplatform fundraising campaign in support of MS research. The commitment provided the MSSC with a unique vehicle for raising awareness of one of the most common neurological diseases to affect young adults in Canada.

Stand UP! Kids from coast to coast rally with Family Channel against bullying Family Channel’s sixth annual national Bullying Awareness Week took place with the mission to teach and reinforce effective strategies to help kids stand up to bullying. This year Family Channel commissioned an original stand UP! song and accompanying music video. Kids from all regions of Canada submitted their own songs and lyrics sharing how they "stand UP!" to bullying. Ultimately, three schools were selected to host ‘’stand UP!’’ rallies featuring the cast of The Latest Buzz in Kingston, Winnipeg, and Richmond.

RockDétente Radiothon for the Québec Breakfast Club On November 20, the 9th Grand Radiodon RockDétente was held across Québec. The radiothon brought in thousands of donations for the Québec Breakfast Club from listeners and companies throughout the province and raised over $2.7 million. This money will ensure that more children can have a nutritious breakfast and go to class ready to learn.

The Big Media Food Drive In December, Astral employees bundled up to operate three collection points at busy street corners across downtown Montréal in front of Astral offices. They intercepted pedestrians and drivers to collect food items and cash donations. In total, well over 200 Astral employees from every business unit were on the streets.

Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie Dedicated to fighting physical inactivity among young people, Astral was a media partner of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, a multi-event challenge to promote healthy habits to young people. VRAK.TV, TÉLÉTOON and NRJ all participated in the challenge. The challenge started in fall 2008 and culminated in a festive gathering at Olympic Stadium in Montréal in June. At least 5,000 school kids were on hand to celebrate and enjoy being physically active. The event at Olympic Stadium coincided with the conclusion of the 1,000 km Fondation Go bicycle marathon. A number of Astral employees participated to raise donations for research into orphan diseases.

 

Maintaining close ties with the communities in which our employees and their families work and live is at the heart of our management philosophy. In 2010, we will continue to enhance our ever growing support of important causes across the country.