With its four honourary co-chairs leading the way, West Island Community Shares’ Red & White Benefit Evening was an unprecedented success. The 12th edition was held on Monday, January 25th at 40 Westt Steakhouse and Rawbar and raised a grand total of $214,000. The co-chairs were Susan Handrigan, Vice President, Montreal West District and North Shore, Scotiabank, Joseph & Paul Broccolini, Executive Vice Presidents, Broccolini Construction, and Chirfi Guindo, President and Managing Director of Merck Canada. More than 300 business and community leaders also determined to make a difference in the lives of West Islanders in need joined them at the event.
Caroline Tison, Executive Director of West Island Community Shares thanked the co-chairs, partners, guests and volunteers. “With the help of caring individuals and companies like you, we raise funds for 40 local community groups. 1 in 5 West Islanders turns to these groups for help each year. Half – 25,000 of those helped – are children and youth. Thank you for making it possible for them to find help, right here in the West Island.”
“Thanks to you, compassionate volunteers will be there to accompany cancer patients to treatment when no one else can. Food banks will be there for families in need; vulnerable children will have mentors, and so much more. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of West Islanders in need,” added Ms. Nada Nasreddine, President of West Island Community Shares, added
In addition to the co-chairs, sponsors included Roxboro Excavation, Spinelli Lexus Pointe-Claire & Lachine, Nada Nasreddine (Pharmaprix Beaconsfield/Kirkland), Caroline Salette (RE/MAX ROYAL JORDAN INC.),Scotiabank, Aqua Spa Lyne Giroux, PME-MTL West Island, Aéroport de Montréal, RBC Royal Bank, Presse Commerce, Clio Bookstore, 40 Westt, Bravo Party Rentals, Concept AV, Club Med, Infografilm, Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, PlaniConcept Plus, Porter Airlines, Private Event Design and Schonfeld.
Guests in attendance included Mr. Carlos Leitão, Minister of Finances and MNA for Robert Baldwin, Mr. Martin Coiteux, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Conseil du trésor and MNA for Nelligan and Mr. Geoff Kelley, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs and MNA for Jacques-Cartier.
The Red & White Benefit Evening features cocktails, an oyster rawbar, and a four-course gourmet meal. A live and a silent auction as well as a raffle – with prizes and items all generously donated – also contribute to the event’s success. The first prize for the raffle was a trip for two to a Club Med North America destination donated by Club Med and PlaniConcept Plus.
The 2nd prize, donated by Porter Airlines, was airfare for 2 to any Porter Airlines destination. The Montreal Marriott In-Terminal Hotel offered a $1,500 gift certificate redeemable at any Marriott Hotel in the world as the third prize while Aqua Spa Lyne Giroux donated a $500 gift certificate as the fourth prize.
The live auction included a “Chef at home” experience with 40 Westt executive Chef Stefanos, “Private Chef’s table” donated by Marriott In Terminal hotel, an Exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Montreal Airport, go-karting experience with professional race car driver Alex Tagliani, and finally a day on Parliament Hill with Francis Scarpaleggia. Thank you to all for donating such wonderful experiences.
The proceeds of the evening will go towards West Island Community Shares’ 2015-2016 annual fundraising campaign which runs until March 31, 2016. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.communityshares.ca.
