For the past 12 years, Media Experts’ annual comedy show, Joey Elias and the Comedy All-Stars: An Evening of Hilarity for the Benefit of On Our Own (O3), has been raising money to change the lives of young, underserved parents and their children in our community. For its 12th edition, the show once again heads to beloved downtown Montreal venue Club Soda. Media Experts is pleased to continue this tradition of combining good deeds with big laughs.

Hosted by charismatic Montreal radio personality Lee Haberkorn, this year’s show will take place on September 21st at 7:00 PM. Once again, Montreal’s own Joey Elias and his hand-picked roster of hilarious comedians, Mike Carrozza, Carly Baker, and Isabelle Gaumont, will tear up the stage and will, for the first time ever, be joined by local band Benny and the Healers, who will serenade the crowd with their renditions of Classic Rock tunes. With a benefactor covering the overhead and the comedians donating 100% of their time and talent, every dollar donated goes directly to funding O3’s programs.

On Our Own (O3) is a Montreal-based non-profit that offers support services and transitional housing to young, vulnerable parents and their children. Affordable housing is an effective building block to create healthy, flourishing families—and one that is getting harder to access by the day. O3 not only

removes the burden of financial stress from their shoulders but also offers programming that helps strengthen their residents’ sense of independence and confidence so they can move from surviving to thriving independently.

“Donor contributions provide essential resources and support to empower these young, single parents as they rebuild their lives. Each gift represents a lifeline of hope, offering a pathway towards independence, healing, and a brighter future. Together, O3 donors are making an enduring impact while creating a community where every woman, man, and child at O3 feels valued, supported, and empowered.” Mark Sherman, founder of Media Experts and event organizer,

As O3’s largest benefactor, funds from this event go directly towards improving the lives of its residents. This takes the form of programs and workshops aimed at developing parenting skills, better equipping residents to meet their children’s needs, and thus creating a safe, nurturing environment. It also allows O3 to invest in their space, making much-needed renovations to the office and apartments, ensuring that they can provide the best environment possible, and to offer childcare and activities to support the resident parents, allowing them respite so they can rest, study, or work.

“During the last year and a half as Director of O3, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that donations have on the lives of these families in need. Each contribution, no matter the size, carries the power to transform despair into hope and vulnerability into resilience. Donations provide crucial resources, support services, and opportunities for our residents to rebuild their lives, reclaim their power, and thrive. It is through the kindness and generosity of donors that we can create a ripple effect of positive change, empowering young parents to break free from the chains of adversity and embrace a future filled with dignity, strength, and endless possibilities,” explains Amanda Murphy, Director at O3.

Building on the success of past events, which raised a record $127,958 last year and $966,302 to date, with the help of donors, sponsors, and participants, Media Experts is now on track to break the 1-million-dollar mark for total funds raised after this year’s edition. Participants can purchase their tickets for $50 at the event website ($25 of which is tax deductible). Doors open at 6 p.m., and the laughs start at 7 p.m.

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ABOUT JOEY ELIAS

Joey Elias has come a long way since his humble beginnings on open Mic stages in 1992. Over the past three decades, Joey has appeared in no less than sixteen Just For Laughs festivals, including four televised Gala Performances. Joey has performed at numerous comedy festivals across Canada, including the Hubcap Comedy Festival in Moncton and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and has headlined comedy clubs across Canada, the US, and the UK.

ABOUT ON OUR OWN (O3)

Since 2005, On Our Own has worked within the community to provide quality housing to young, low-income, and underserved families. O3 assists families in planning for their future by offering them work, training, and educational opportunities, workshops to develop life skills, and programs to support and strengthen the bond between parent and child. O3’s goals include providing parents with the necessary tools to increase family stability, decrease isolation, exclusion, and homelessness, and grant access to preventative services to break the cycle of poverty. O3 helps young parents take charge of their lives, one child and one family at a time. Learn more at o3onourown.com.

ABOUT MEDIA EXPERTS 

Founded in 1981, Media Experts is a leading Canadian media agency that delivers messaging for major Canadian brands across all media channels. We are data-driven and powered by discovery. Our approach revolves around designing effective, hard-working media strategies that drive brand engagement and deliver outstanding business results. With three offices across the country and over 200 employees, we are a truly Canadian media agency and proud to be part of the IPG Mediabrands network.

ABOUT BENNY AND THE HEALERS

Celebrating the classic rock of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Benny and the Healers have been entertaining Montrealers at countless local charity events, clubs, and private functions for over a decade. Led by frontman and vocalist Benny Saleh, the Healers include veteran musicians Leslie Singerman on drums, Emile Knafo on rhythm guitar, Silvio Caro on bass, Carlos Figueiredo on keyboards, plus lead guitarist Sam Gold. Over the years, they have performed with numerous rock stars, including Randy Bachman, Don Felder, Robbie Krieger, and Jim Cuddy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ON OUR OWN, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amanda Murphy, Director, On Our Own (O3)
e: director@o3onourown.com
t: 514 369 0757

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Myriam Carrier E: myriam.carrier@mediaexperts.com