LCBO's Giving Back in Our Community Campaign Raises Funds for MADD Canada in December

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2012) - Starting this week, the public can help support MADD Canada by making a donation at any of the more than 625 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for MADD Canada will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until January 5, 2013. As part of LCBO's annual Giving Back In Our Community campaign, customer service representatives will also invite customers to add a $2, $5 or $10 donation to their purchase.

LCBO's Giving Back In Our Community campaign raises funds for MADD Canada and Ontario's four children's hospitals: SickKids Foundation, McMaster Children's Hospital, CHEO Foundation and Children's Health Foundation.

The funds raised for MADD Canada support its School Assembly Program, a film and in-class curriculum guide which educate students about the risks of impaired driving. The compelling film features a combination of a fictional storyline and testimonials from real-life victims of impaired driving. The goal of this program is to encourage students to make responsible choices and not drink or take drugs and drive or ride along with someone who has.

"Thanks to the LCBO's network of stores across the province, the commitment of its employees and the generosity of its customers, MADD Canada is reaching more Ontario students than ever before," said MADD Canada National President Denise Dubyk. "Our School Assembly Program provides realistic and impactful education on impaired driving, and gives young people the knowledge and motivation they need to make safe and sober driving choices. It's a message that saves lives, and we are deeply grateful to the LCBO, its employees and its customers for helping ensure this message reaches Ontario students."

"We are proud to partner again with MADD Canada for the annual Giving Back In Our Community campaign," says LCBO President & CEO Bob Peter. "Our customers and staff are truly concerned about the safety of youth in communities across Ontario. Thanks to our generous customers, we raised a new record $1.27 million last December. As a result, 900 presentations of MADD Canada's School Assembly Program will be delivered to more than half a million students at no cost to the schools. Through this program, we can empower young people to make responsible choices and help prevent impaired driving."

MADD Canada joins 28 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBO's province-wide donation box program in 2012. In 2011, LCBO raised a total of more than $6.2 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $5.7 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.63 billion in fiscal 2011-12, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

MADD Canada thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from December 3 - January 5.