by Rhonda Massad
West Island Community Shares and 300 people took the streets last week in a show of community support for those in need. The walk every year symbolizes the start of a new campaign year. Last year the organization raised $1.2 million for 40 local charities.
Many of the 40 groups that benefit from the giving came out to participate in 2-kilometer walk in Dollard-des-Ormeaux for the 18th time and for Executive Director Caroline Tison the last time.
As reported by The Suburban last month, Tison said that after this campaign she is ready to pass the torch. Under her 12 year executive direction the organization has taken on twice the amount of organizations and raised more than $11 million reaching more than 50,000 West Islanders. Tison plans to stay on as a volunteer and member of the fund distribution committee.
“After 8 years of going to the WICS walk, It’s hard to imagine going there without seeing Caroline Tison,” Action jeunesse de l’Ouest-de-l’Île(AJOI) Executive Director Benoit Langevin told The Suburban. “She’s a leader of our community that I’ve always look up to. She’s been an inspiration has a social entrepreneur since day one while working at AJOI. Her vision has transcend in my actions along the years in the social sector of our community. I’ve called her a lot over the years for advice, she’s always been there for me.”
Just in time for the walk, West Island Community Shares earned the Imagine Canada’s Standards Program Accreditation. Only 150 out of the 85,000 registered charitable organizations in Canada have achieved this accreditation acknowledging excellence in governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement.
WICS also announced the new Shirley Miller award that will be presented every year to an outstanding member of thecommunity supported by the organization. The recipient can be a leader or a community worker in one of the forty organizations touched by WICS. Should you wish to submit a name for consideration please contact WICS by December 1st atwww.communityshares.ca .
