by Rhonda Massad
The fact that the ticket holders danced between courses is indicative of how much fun was had at the annual Lakeshore Ball this year. A party was had but serious money was raised to the tune of $515,635 to support the only hospital on the West Island.
The tickets were sold for $600 and that bought the holder a soirée in a winter wonderland. Ice angels greeted the guests at the entrance to the Marriott Montreal airport in-terminal hotel. Fine food was served and a silent auction held.
After a heart felt speech by Lakeshore Hospital cancer patient, Joseph Sanza who encouraged the crowded ball room to continue to support the hospital, Executive Director Heather Holmes made a final call out to meet the aspired goal of half a million dollars for this years event.
“We are $11,000 short of our goal of $500,000,” Holmes explained, “can we dig a little deeper for our community hospital? For every $100.00 donated a Swarovski crystal necklace is yours.”
Holmes was visibly moved when hands shot up.
Mr. and Mrs Lino Saputo headed for the stage to let Holmes know they would donate the remaining $11,000. Two guests donated $1000 each, six gave $500 and 100 more gave $100.
“We made $30,000 for our hospital in ten minutes,” Holmes shared, “Thanks to our supporters we will be modernizing our intensive care unit. Together we will be bringing the hospital to a whole new level of care. It is becoming state of the art.”
Desjardins’ Senior Vice President, Guy Cormier, presented a cheque of $100,000 to the hospital showing major support for local health care.
The evening was not short on dignitaries who support the local hospital. On the dance floor were MNA for Robert Baldwin Carlos Leitao, MNA for Nelligan Martin Coiteux and newly elected MP Frank Baylis. Strolling the silent auction were Pointe Claire Mayor Morris Trudeau, Dorval Mayor Edgar Rouleau, Kirkland Councillors Tony Di Gennaro and John Morson, Hampstead Councillor Michael Goldwax, Pierrefonds Councillors Yves Gignac and Catherine Clément-Talbot.
