For the fifteenth consecutive year, Beneva has joined forces with the Aléo Foundation to award $100,000 in scholarships and support services to 23 young athletes. Among the recipients is 19-year-old Hudson resident Jacob Townsend, who enjoys sailing. The natural sciences student at John Abbott College receives a $2,000 bursary. 

This is the first financial support Jacob Townsend has received from Beneva and the Fondation Aléo. The athlete finished second at the ILCA Midwinters East 2024 in Florida last February. Career-wise, he would like to go into mechanical engineering at university. He would also like to sail for as long as possible, as an athlete, as a coach, and then continue in the sailing world thanks to his knowledge, experience and studies. 

Since the beginning of this partnership, over 200 young people have benefited from 350 scholarships, representing $1.5 million in scholarships and support services donated by Beneva to the Foundation.

The annual event took place at Beneva's Longueuil office, where recipients were welcomed by President and CEO Jean-François Chalifoux and Patricia Demers, Executive Director of Fondation Aléo. 

In addition to its annual bursary awards, Beneva has become a leading partner of the Fondation Aléo, notably by becoming a presenter at the new À table pour les athlètes benefit event in Quebec City, as well as an ally at the upcoming Beneva Montreal Marathon, for which the Fondation Aléo will be part of the Du cœur à la course component, as the official cause.

In their words:

“Since 2010, it's been a privilege for us to collaborate with the Fondation Aléo. In addition to recognizing and encouraging these young people to pursue their dreams, we have the pleasure of watching them grow and develop to their full potential.Over the past 15 years, we've seen first-hand how these student athletes become inspirations for society.We're proud to contribute to this,” says Jean-François Chalifoux, President and CEO of Beneva. 

“Balancing studies and sport is a real challenge for student athletes. However, when it is facilitated by the support of major partners such as Beneva, it makes big dreams come true. At the Fondation Aléo, we firmly believe that achieving this balance is an essential key, both in their sporting practice and academically. And sharing this conviction with Beneva enables us to make a difference for many recipients,” adds Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation Aléo.