LCBO stores raise funds for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides

TORONTO, Ontario February 26, 2014 /Canada NewsWire/ - Starting March 2, the public can help support Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (Dog Guides) by making a donation at any of the more than 635 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. Donation boxes for Dog Guides will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until March 31.

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides provides specially trained Dog Guides to Canadians with disabilities. Each Dog Guide is provided at no cost despite costing $25,000 to train and place.  Six types of Dog Guides are trained to assist with a wide range of disabilities: Canine Vision, Hearing Ear, Service, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance, and Diabetic Alert.  Approximately 64 per cent of all current Dog Guide recipients live in Ontario.

"We appreciate the support we receive from LCBO, its employees and especially its customers. LCBO's province-wide store network and supportive staff help us raise significant funds and increase public awareness of Dog Guides," says Sandy Turney, Executive Director, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

"LCBO is pleased to partner with Dog Guides and support a variety of worthy causes throughout the year," says LCBO President & CEO Bob Peter. "The generous support from LCBO customers and staff helps these charitable organizations make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Ontario."

Dog Guides is one of 28 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from LCBO's province-wide donation box program in 2014. In 2012, LCBO raised a total of more than $6.6 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $6.1 million was raised through in-store fundraising. In addition, LCBO's annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totaled $1.7 billion in fiscal 2012-13, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.

Dog Guides thanks the public for its support when shopping at their local LCBO store from March 2 - 31.