Alouettes Players Spread Holiday Cheer at Montreal’s Mission Bon Accueil

The air at Montreal’s Mission Bon Accueil was filled with something special on a snowy Sunday morning – the sound of children’s laughter and the sweet voices of a Ukrainian choir. Montreal Alouettes players took time from their off-season to volunteer at the organization, offering a helping hand and a dose of holiday spirit to those in need.

The heartwarming moment came when Mariia, Sofiia, and Ivan Barhan, recent Ukrainian immigrants, spontaneously began singing Noël d’Ukraine for “Mama and Papa Noel.” The performance captivated everyone, including Alouettes player Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, who was playing the role of Santa Claus.

“It was magnificent,” said 14-year-old Mariia, speaking fluent French. “Meeting Santa was wonderful.” The family, who arrived in Quebec two years ago, wanted to share a piece of their culture with the community.

“Music is a very important part of our lives,” Mariia explained. “We are really happy to be able to share our culture with others.”

A Growing Need in Montreal

The visit comes at a critical time. The Mission Bon Accueil, founded in 1892, serves nearly 9,000 people annually, distributing 1.8 million kilograms of food each year. According to Statistics Canada, food insecurity affects approximately 12.7% of Canadian households, a figure that has been rising in recent years due to economic pressures and inflation. The organization’s president-director general, Samuel Watts, emphasized the ongoing demand for their services.

“We’ll be here as long as Montreal needs us,” Watts stated. “Unfortunately, we don’t lack clients. There are many issues, including poverty and homelessness. We have 200 full-time employees and eight buildings in the city. We’re busy.”

Players Josh Archibald and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund joined Cantin-Arku in handing out gifts and spending time with families. Archibald described the experience simply as “just an act of kindness.”

Adeyemi-Berglund, who also runs the Berglund Bridge foundation, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of giving back. “We lean on each other and give back to our communities. It allows us to grow as teammates, and ultimately, it strengthens the sport and the level of support we have for each other,” he said.

Cantin-Arku is also committed to community outreach through his Académie GCA, which will return for a second edition in March 2026 in Lévis. The academy will offer five scholarships to single-parent families.

“The GCA Academy is there not only to help children achieve their dreams, but also to give them hope, to show them that anything is possible,” Cantin-Arku said.

Even Santa Claus had a wish of his own. A young boy, after sitting on his lap, asked for one thing: a Grey Cup victory for the Alouettes in 2026. “So I promised him I would deliver!” Cantin-Arku chuckled.

The Alouettes’ visit served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support, especially during the holiday season, and the impact even small acts of kindness can have on those facing hardship.