We are excited to announce that our longtime “Champion for Kids” partner, Mardon Insurance, now part of Westland Insurance Group has donated an incredible $10,000 to Team Cassie and Friends in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This generous donation will go directly towards transforming the lives of kids and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

What’s even more exciting? Their partner, NorthBridge Insurance, is jumping into action and adding another $5000 to their gift, bringing Westland Insurance Group‘s total support to $15,000!!!!

“Mardon Insurance has been proudly supporting Cassie and Friends for over 10 years. Now, as part of Westland Insurance Group, we look forward to continuing our support of Cassie and Friends,” said a spokesperson at Westland. “Westland Insurance together with one of our longtime insurers, Northbridge Insurance, would like to raise as much support and awareness as possible to ensure no child has to live in pain because of juvenile arthritis. We would like to thank Cassie and Friends for their wonderful work and services provided!”

Together, Westland and Northbridge’s donation will help sponsor our Cassie and Friends Society’s Kids on the Block school program. Kids on the Block is an interactive show that uses life-sized puppets to teach students about friendship and inclusion through the story of Leslie, a 10-year-old girl who loves soccer and lives with chronic arthritis. During the performance, her and her classmates learn to recognize ability over disability and how to talk respectfully about differences. More than 6,000 elementary school students and educators get to experience the show each year.

Mardon Insurance was one of our very first Champions for Kids! Here we are in 2016 accepting their $10,000 gift.

“Mardon Insurance has been there from day one, helping us to raise awareness about juvenile arthritis and truly transforming the lives of affected kids and families,” said Jennifer Wilson, Executive Director at Cassie and Friends Society. “With their support, we’ve been able to help kids overcome feelings of embarrassment and exclusion at school, and we’ve grown to be one of the most significant supporters of juvenile arthritis research in Canada. We now look forward to continuing this impactful friendship under the Westland Insurance Group name.”

Thank you Westland Insurance Group and Northbridge Insurance for being incredible Champions for Kids!!

Join us! To support of kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, please consider making a gift to our team. Thanks to Philanthropist Yvette Porte your gift will be doubled until July 23rd, 2018, up to $50,000. Donate here.