The Air Canada Foundation (ACF) is celebrating ten years of helping children and youth in Canada and around the world achieve better lives. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children through a range of programs, partnerships, and initiatives.

Over the past decade, the ACF has provided support to more than 200 Canadian charities each year, connecting children to medical care, helping alleviate child poverty and enabling children to fulfill their dreams.

The Foundation has also offered continued support to major health-related causes that benefit all Canadians and is an active participant in international humanitarian relief activities.

"The Air Canada Foundation represents the heart of our organization. Its impact over the last decade is immeasurable, and I can only imagine the continued success it will have moving forward," said AC president and CEO Michael Rousseau.

"I'm so grateful to employees, retirees, volunteers, customers and all partners for their commitment and dedication over the years. The Foundation can count on me and Air Canada's unwavering support. I will continue to enable opportunities for employees to get involved, and I welcome even more partners and customers to join us. Let's keep working together and improve the lives of children and families."

Air Canada says it has always played an active role in serving and helping communities across Canada and around the world, but the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was the catalyst for the establishment of the Air Canada Foundation.

The airline deployed a humanitarian mission destined to both bring life-saving medical equipment to the population and help with orphanages, bringing Haitian children back to Canada for adoption. The airline says it quickly realized how powerful travel could be and how it could help children achieve better lives.

Among its key achievements since 2012, the Air Canada Foundation has:

-- Donated more than $12 million in grants to Canadian-registered charities focused on the health and well-being of children.

-- Donated more than 11,000 airline tickets to charitable organizations to support fundraising activities or program development.

-- Made possible more than 9,000 flights to make children's dreams come true.

As the Air Canada Foundation moves into its second decade, it is committed to continue helping kids spread their wings through three new pillars:

-- Wings of Health: Supporting pediatric hospitals, health organizations, medical transportation and treatment.

-- Wings of Protection: Supporting food security, child reunification, human trafficking survivors, humanitarian aid organizations and working against poverty.

-- Wings to Dream: Supporting wish-granting for seriously ill, physically challenged and impoverished children.

"I am proud to be celebrating today a significant milestone for the Foundation recognizing that every day represents a breakthrough for children and families undergoing difficult times." said Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation.

"Despite the recent challenging times, the Air Canada Foundation relentlessly pursued efforts to help Canadian families in need in creative and different ways and we look forward to seeing even more positive impact in the years to come."

To learn more about the Air Canada Foundation, including its programs and partnerships, please visit www.aircanada.com/foundation.