On October 28, Stephen Blais, Orléans-Cumberland Catholic School Board trustee announced that he donated the first portion of his 2009 raise in celebration of the School Breakfast Program.

The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

"Children who arrive at school hungry do not perform well in the classroom," said Blais. "Studies have shown that students who are fed are more alert, develop greater self-esteem, have better attendance and have fewer discipline problems."

Blais donated $2,500, which will go towards helping more than 11,000 students in 145 schools across all four major school boards that use the program. It will provide financial support for equipment, program monitors and food. Other program objectives include teaching and encouraging children to make healthy choices.

"The program is a wonderful initiative that has a significant impact locally," said Claude Haw, president and CEO of OCRI, the company that helps with financial assistance towards the program. "We couldn't support more than 10,000 students daily without the ongoing help from volunteers and the generous contributions from businesses."

Parents can contact the school for help with the program and students are identified by teachers or social agencies.

The philosophy is no child is turned away.

"I, as many of my colleagues, have seen the tremendous difference that a breakfast or nutrition program can make in the lives of the students and families we serve," said Patricia Morden-Lahey, principal of Divine Infant Catholic School.

When he decided to run for trustee, Blais made a commitment that he would use trustee raises for the benefit of the Orléans community.

Using that money, he established a yearly scholarship with Carleton University that goes to a graduating student from St.Peter Catholic School or St, Matthew Catholic School. The bursary was matched dollar for dollar by the provincial government to bring the bursary total to $10,000.

Blais also donated his raise to help cancer research, which was matched by Scotiabank for a total donation value of $7,500.

"I believe in fiscal responsibility and during my last election campaign I made a clear promise to give back to the community by donating 150 per cent of the raise trustees received," said Blais. "As an elected official, I believe it is incumbent upon me and my colleagues to help raise awareness of the issue that affect our community and residents,"