photo by Chris Wilson | Hawk Junction, Ontario

Canadian National Railway gave the maximum grant available to employees and their spouses to the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association. CN authorized $ 1,250 dollars for the volunteer work of Charlie and Brenda London.

CN took note of the hundreds of hours Charlie puts into FSJNAdotORG as well as the neighborhood Facebook and Twitter pages. Charlie also sends out subscription-only (no cost for subscribers) emails from Charlie’s Neighborhood News and PatJolly.com. Both sites provide information on community events. Check out the community calendar on Charlie’s website at http://katrinafilm.com/ Charlie also provides free promotional services to several neighborhood non-profits whose missions are to improve or preserve the quality of life for all residents in our area.

CN was impressed with Brenda’s contribution to the many outreach events in the neighborhood.

Many thanks to CN for their generous donation of $ 1,250 to the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association. CN donates millions each year to many worth causes all over North America!

From the December, 2013 letter to employees from the CEO of CN…

“It was one day while Guylaine and I were counting our blessings of having healthy children and the financial stability to help them with their goals and dreams that we first thought of our Helping Hand from Claude and Guylaine initiative. As you know, last year we donated some of my CN shares to the CN Community Fund to set up A Helping Hand. The funds are destined for CN employees and their immediate families to help their children with physical or intellectual special needs.

So far, the program has disbursed nearly $850,000 and helped over 70 CN families to provide physical therapy for their disabled children, nephews and nieces; to purchase wheelchair-adapted vans; to customize parts of their homes; or to be able to access specialized education programs.

Guylaine is very actively involved in the cause and in helping CN employees who have kids with special needs in their families.

Let me remind you that the Helping Hand program is there to lend support and you can find more information about it and learn how to apply through the e-Portal. Now here is the good news: because our original contribution was in CN shares and not cash, the dollar value of the donation has grown, thanks to the tremendous work of our 23,000 railroaders that has increased the value of our stock. So every one of us has contributed to the success of the Helping Hand, and helped our colleagues whose children have special needs. I thank you for that, and of course for your passion and dedication in making CN the leader in a critically vital industry.”