LCBO raising funds for Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity

Starting on August 14th, 2016, the public can help support the children and families served by the Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity (JACC) by making a donation at any of the more than 650 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for JACC will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until September 10th.

Funds raised through this program will be used to help seriously ill children living with life-limiting conditions across Ontario, with expenses surrounding their illnesses. JACC’s mission is “Improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families…when love is not enough.”

Olivia (pictured) was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition called PKD, Polycystic Kidney Disease and is featured on this year’s donation box backer card.

Olivia’s parents wrote: “We would like to send a big thank-you to the Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity for assisting us with our daughter Olivia’s extra formula expenses. We greatly appreciate your help during this challenging time.

Our daughter Olivia went into kidney failure at one month old due to a rare kidney condition called PKD, Polycystic Kidney Disease. She spent her first three months in hospital. She is currently on peritoneal dialysis at home for 12 hours each night, along with being on a feed pump to ensure she gets her proper nutrition. She will need a kidney transplant once she reaches 20lbs. and is walking, we are hoping within the next year.

Despite Olivia’s health, she is a fighter and a very happy baby. She makes us smile every day. Thank you for your kindness.”

Founded in 1990, JACC is a registered Canadian charity that is not illness or disease specific, assist children from birth to 18 years of age, fill the gap where other charities leave off and act as a “safety net” for Ontario children when all other resources have been exhausted. JACC has provided crucial, time-sensitive help to almost 15,000 seriously ill children over the past 26 years.

“LCBO’s province-wide store network and incredibly supportive staff help to raise significant funds that help the families we serve across Ontario who have nowhere else to turn, as well as increase public awareness of our charity. Since our partnership began, the LCBO, its employees and customers have directly impacted the lives of more than 120 children and their families. We are so grateful for the support we have received!” says Jane Sleep, JACC’s Executive Director.

“As a socially responsible community-minded retailer, LCBO is pleased to partner with the Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity (JACC) and a variety of other worthy causes through the Giving Back In Our Community fundraising program,” says LCBO President & CEO George Soleas. “Through the generosity of LCBO customers and the support of our staff, we help improve the lives of countless Ontarians and make a difference in communities across Ontario.”

– # –

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity is one of 28 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBO’s province-wide donation box program in 2016. In fiscal 2015/16, LCBO raised a total of more than $10.9 million for charities through in-store fundraising, special programs and initiatives. In addition, LCBO’s annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.935 billion in fiscal year 2015-16 ending March 31, 2016, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from August 14th – September 10th, 2016.