Every year the 44 Optimist Clubs who form part of the Central Quebec District hold a family fun day to get together and raise funds for their upcoming projects.
The 2015 event took place last Saturday in Verdun’s Parc Therrien.
The day began with hundreds of runners racing for St. Justine Hospital.
Meanwhile, giant inflatable toys were set up inside the ball diamond and volunteers began face-painting children.
The Empire skateboarders set up their mini-park to demonstrate a series of tricks.
Local firemen participated too, not only to show everyone how to prevent and escape fires quickly but also to serve as potential water dunkers.
Members of the clubs set up tents, tables and chairs to help protect participants from the hot sun.
One of the tents housed members from the eight clubs from the Southwest and West Island of Montreal that cooperate together as part of zone 11.
Zone 11 links members who live in Verdun, LaSalle, Lachine, Ile-Bizard, St-Pierre-aux-Liens, Roxboro, Montreal-St-Paul and des Rapides. Each club has its own unique culture that reflects community activities. Together they raise funds for cancer research, offer youth leadership programs, provide school bags for children, set up non-violence training and support their communities.
To get involved, refer to the Central Quebec website. Links to each club website can also be found there.
Note: This story appeared on pages 11 and 18 of the City edition of The Suburban on Wednesday.
