Two Leonardo seniors rewarded | Saint-Leonard

The first edition of the Gala Tribute to Seniors was held at TOHU and two seniors from Léonard were rewarded. Organized by the Regroupement Jeunesse en action, this evening highlighted the importance of civic participation by seniors.

Nominated by the constituency office of Patricia Lattanzio, federal deputy for Saint-Michel–Saint-Léonard, Maria D’Alessio and Felicidades Joseph were congratulated for their commitment to the associations they lead, respectively the Parc Delorme Gold and the Haitian-Canadian-Quebec Association for the Needy.

Maria D’Alessio heads the Club de l’âge d’or at Parc Delorme, which is said to have about 700 members. The organization allows many seniors of Italian origin to maintain social ties by organizing an annual bocce tournament, but also trips, activities such as dancing and outings to the sugar shack.

Felicidades Joseph, for her part, arrived from Haiti to settle in Saint-Léonard in 1980. She founded her association, the first managed by blacks in the district, more than 40 years ago. The Association helps the poorest through food baskets, but also organizes summer camps for young people and celebrations in the community.

The evening was marked by the presence of representatives of the three levels of government: Patricia Lattanzio; Frantz Benjamin, Liberal MP for Viau and candidate in the October 3 election; and Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, Borough Mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, also Member of Parliament for Papineau, sent his congratulations to the winners in an official letter.