Please contact Doug Keller-Hobson (416-222-6335 ex. 228) for further information and story opportunities.

2007-11-02
NEWS RELEASE 

Hope Air honoured with Ontario Trillium Foundation 25th Anniversary Great Grants Award

Toronto, November 2, 2007 –- Hope Air was honoured for the impact it has made in communities across the province at the Ontario Trillium Foundation's (OTF) 25th Anniversary Great Grants Awards on November 1, 2007. Held at the MaRS Centre in Toronto, the evening highlighted the achievements of 25 not-for-profit organizations from the more than ten thousand groups that received OTF funding over the past 25 years. These organizations have exemplified excellence, innovation and leadership in their community and volunteer work.

“• 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of grant making for OTF and we are delighted to celebrate the success of Hope Air and their role in building healthy and vibrant communities across the province,” said Helen Burstyn, Chair, OTF Board of Directors.

Established in 1986, Hope Air’s charity mission is to arrange free air transportation for Canadians who are in financial need and require non-emergency medical care outside their home community. In its 21 year history, Hope Air has provided over 52,000 flights for Canadians in need.

In 1990, OTF granted the group $30,000 to produce a series of bilingual marketing materials and to help augment its donation program. The new marketing materials promoted awareness of the service. The program took off and by 1993 the number of flights soared to 2,357. The chance of obtaining a donated flight for those needing medical attention was almost guaranteed. Again, in 2004, OTF renewed its support to assist Hope Air in developing HealthNet, a state-of-the-art Client Database and Flight Booking System. This has enabled Hope Air to greatly increase its abilities to operate more efficiently and build a platform for future growth.

“• We are honoured that Hope Air has been selected for this prestigious award, from the thousands of very worthy organizations that have received OTF grants over the last 25 years,” said Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director of Hope Air. “It confirms to us that the work done by our staff and our dedicated volunteers, together with the generous support of so many of Canada’s commercial airlines, is making a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of so many fellow Canadians. Hope Air salutes the dedication and leadership role played by OTF in assisting Hope Air in its charity mission of Getting Canadians to getting better.”

The Government of Ontario had the vision to create OTF 25 years ago; to support the Foundation’s growth over time; and to recognize its importance recently with an additional $20 million in annual funding that will enable the Foundation to do even more when it comes to building healthy and vibrant communities.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Renée Ouellet , Senior Communications Officer,
Marketing and Media Services, Ontario Trillium Foundation, 1.800.263.2887 ext.265,
or online at rouellet@trilliumfoundation.org

Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director, Hope Air, 1.877.346.HOPE (4673) ex. 228,
or online at dkeller-hobson@hopeair.org