Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy dropped by Côte-des-Neiges, the neighbourhood in which he grew up, on Dec. 13 to encourage volunteers raising funds for the 12th edition of the Guignolée du Dr Julien.

The Guignolée du Dr Julien collects donations for the Fondation du Dr Julien, a not-for-profit organization established by Montreal physician Gilles Julien; it helps more than 2,000 kids and their families each year through its two community social pediatrics centres and a music program, the Garage à musique.

The mission of the foundation is to allow children to develop to their fullest potential. The field of social pediatrics aims to support vulnerable children and families and those at risk; services provided through the pediatrics centres include medical, psycho-social, psycho-educational and educational intervention, various forms of therapies as well as sport and cultural activities.

Sugar Sammy visited with kids at the Centre communautaire de Côte-des-Neiges and donated $25,000 to the Guignolée du Dr Julien — his fee for a television commercial he shot.

By the evening of Dec. 13, the event had raised $842,000 — more than was raised in 2013 and considerably more than in 2012. Go to www.guignoleedrjulien.org for information about contributing.

The Applause column lauds those who do good on behalf of their community.