The 4th annual BMO Thanksgiving Dinner to benefit West Island Community Shares was held on October 4th at the Olympia Reception Hall. More than 275 guests attended and enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner. At the end of the evening, Ms. Nada Nasreddine, President of West Island Community Shares, along with Frederica Jones, Regional Vice president, Mary Makedonas, BMO Fairview Branch Manager and Kenneth De Melo, BMO Dollard-des-Ormeaux Branch Manager, were pleased to announce that the amount of $50,000 was raised.
“BMO is committed to helping improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work,” said Ms. Jones. “By partnering with West Island Community Shares, we know that the funds raised will make a difference in the lives of more than 60,000 West Island residents in need.”
“Our most sincere thanks to the West Island BMO branch managers and employees who worked so hard to make this event a success and to clients and guests who attended,” said Ms. Nasreddine. “I also wish to thank Mr. Samuel Gaskin, notary, the Diamond-level partner of the dinner, along with the many Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze partners who contributed to this success.”
West Island Community Shares raises crucial funds for 40 local community groups. Each year 1 in 5 West Islanders turns to a community group for help to cope with food security, cancer, autism, at-risk youth, bullying, substance abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts and more. More than half – 36,000 of those helped – are children and youth under the age of 25.
West Island Community Shares officially launches its fundraising campaign this month. Its slogan is: LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE. MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER. Everyone who lives or works in the West Island and cares about the community is invited to support the campaign. Donations can be made through its secure Web server at www.communityshares.ca.
About West Island Community Shares
West Island Community Shares raises crucial funds for 40 local community groups. These groups offer help, comfort and support to residents with many different needs. Since 1998, it has raised and distributed more than $12 million to local community groups. West Island Community Shares’ model is unique because it distributes 100% of donations received to the groups it supports. It is the only not-for-profit in Canada to implement and sustain this model for 18 years. This is made possible by the following corporate partners that cover its operational costs: National Bank, Pfizer Canada, Merck, Tenaquip Ltd., Desjardins, Telus, Pharmaprix, Avon Canada, Groupe Jean Coutu, West Island Ford Lincoln, Roxboro Excavation, the Spinelli Employee Fund, BDO, Bromelin People Practices, Construction Jean Houde, Groom and Associates, the Montreal Marriott Airport In-Terminal Hotel, NAS, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Pharmascience.
