Every February, an evening snowshoe race is held on Mount Royal in the heart of Montreal to help preserve the mountain, a treasured landmark and popular recreation site. For the past 15 years, the event has been organized by charity organization Les Amis de la montagne, and CGI members have taken an active role in supporting the charity’s work.
Known as the Tuques Bleues Celebration, the race keeps a tradition alive that dates back to the first half of the 19th Century. Back then, snowshoers would gather to ascend Mount Royal at dusk, ending the evening with a lively banquet at the top.
Today, the event not only continues to be a great evening of fun and camaraderie, but is also used to raise money for Mount Royal conservation initiatives. CGI puts together a team of volunteers each year who lend a hand in running the event. In 2012, 30 CGI volunteers participated and $200,000 was raised.
“It comes naturally to our members to be a part of our environmental heritage and help improve the communities in which we live and work,” said Circé Labelle, one of the CGI volunteers. “By getting involved at a local level, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to causes that reach around the world, such as environmental protection.”
