Youppi! visits Mackay Centre School's Satellite Class and Best Buddies at Westmount High

Youppi! visits Leaders on Wheels 

and Best Buddies at Westmount High

By Wendy Singer

On December 14, the Mackay Centre School’s satellite class at Westmount High School and their “Best Buddies” had the treat of a lifetime  – a pizza lunch with our favourite Habs mascot, Youppi! Clad in his blue, blanc, rouge, Youppi! goofed around with the students as they ate lunch and decorated ornaments for their Christmas tree.

The event was initiated by Canadien’s defenceman Shea Weber, who became involved with Best Buddies while playing for the Nashville Predators. He has continued his community outreach here in Montreal since his arrival in 2016. Recently, Weber invited the Mackay class, also known as the Leaders on Wheels, to enjoy a Habs game in his private loge.

 

Weber could not attend the event due to practice time, but Youppi! stepped right in; his antics making the student laugh heartily. Representatives from the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation marketing team Shauna Denis, Vanessa Harrison, and Dave McGinnis, kicked off the celebration on a high note, gifting students with NHL 100^th classic tuques, Habs flags and scarves, Youppi! dolls, and two tickets to an upcoming hockey game. “Today we are honouring organizations that do great work in our community,” said Denis. “The players are very active behind the scenes. They go out of their way to give back to the community, most of which you don’t hear about.”

MCCF Marketing Department representatives Shauna
Denis and Vanessa Harrison.

 Youppi! is no stranger to the Leaders as they met when they attended the game last month. They were thrilled to reunite. Other Westmount High students were pleasantly surprised when Youppi spontaneously popped into their classrooms. Rosemarie Sondola, teacher of the Mackay Satellite Class, speaks highly of the Buddies. “Our students love the attention of their Best Buddies. We have a great group this year. This event will encourage others to join in.” 

The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation aims to provide a better and healthier future for children in need. Since its inception in August 2000, the Foundation has donated over $27 million to over 755 charitable endeavors throughout the province of Quebec working for the well-being of privileged children. 

Best Buddies has chapters in 50 countries around the world. Their school programs help to create durable friendships between people with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). The ultimate goal is to make every school and community across Canada more inclusive and accepting of people with an IDD.

It was a joyful event that brought more than Christmas cheer. It brought three communities together to celebrate the holidays and thank Westmount High School’s Best Buddy volunteers for their wonderful work.

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and healthy holiday from the Inspirations Team!