MONTREAL (March 18, 2010) — World Vision and NHL veteran Georges Laraque took their Hockey for Haiti fundraising initiative to the students at Montreal’s Louis-Joseph-Papineau School today.

As part of ongoing efforts to benefit World Vision’s earthquake relief work in the wake of Haiti’s devastating January earthquake, Laraque answered students’ questions and explained the importance of providing emergency aid to the disaster-hit country.

“Meeting with the students today was a pleasure and it was truly uplifting to experience their enthusiasm and optimism for what we are doing to help Haiti,” said Laraque, who was joined at the event by Isabelle Depelteau, Director, Vision Mondiale.

“Today’s event was a great success and we are grateful for everyone’s participation, from Georges and the NHL to the NHLPA and the very enthusiastic and welcoming students and staff of Louis-Joseph-Papineau School,” said Depelteau.

The Hockey for Haiti initiative was started by Laraque, a Haitian-Canadian, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and World Vision Canada following January’s earthquake.

NHL representative Ken Martin Jr. also attended the event and presented a $100,000 cheque to the Hockey for Haiti initiative. “Today’s donation will help some of the youngest victims and hopefully inspire others to do everything they can to aid the children of Haiti,” said Martin, vice president of Community Affairs for the NHL.