GAMES FOR HOPE RAISES RECORD $375,000 FOR KIDS’ CHARITIES
The 14th annual Games for Hope corporate sports fundraising event this year raised a record $375,000 for three Montreal children’s charitable organizations: Starlight Children’s Foundation Québec, Leucan and Breakfast Club Canada.
Ericsson Canada and the Imvescor Restaurant Group (Scores, Mikes, Bâton Rouge) were the naming sponsors of the event, held June 18 at Le Complexe Sportif Bell in Brossard. About 1,200 people attended.
The Games for Hope volunteer team, made up of 55 members of Montreal’s corporate community who organize the multi-sports event, worked hard together with more than 30 Montreal suppliers: The direct event cost, which includes the cost of renting the facility, for instance, was 10 per cent, which means that $9 of every $10 raised goes directly to the charities. A direct event cost of 10 per cent is considered very low.
“This unique event shows that a bunch of dedicated individuals can accomplish amazing things for less fortunate kids,” said spokesman Ali Menhem, Games spokesman and 2016 Volunteer of the Year.
Tommy Baltzis, president of WhiteHaven Securities, said: “It’s unbelievable what people can do when they put their minds to things and, in this case, a direct impact on children’s lives.”
The WhiteHaven Securities team, which raised $40,000, was the winner of the Top Team Fundraising Trophy.
Key corporate contributors included: Accenture, ADP, Aflalo Communications, AON, Banque Nationale, Bell, Breville Canada, Bulletproof Logistics, CAE, Carbonleo, CBC Radio One, CBRE, Chapiteau St-Remi, Complexe Sportif Bell, Crowe BGK, CTV, Deloitte, Deville Technologies, Ecodomus Construction, Ericsson Canada, Ernst & Young, Excelitas Technologies, Gildan, HollisWealth, Imvescor Restaurant Group, iSaute, Kiewit Construction, KPMG, JLL, Nulook Office Solutions, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, RBC, RDS, Sanofi, Simboliq, TSN690, Ville de Montréal-Arrondisement Le Sud-Ouest and WhiteHaven Securities.
The Games for Hope Foundation is an entirely volunteerbased, not-for-profit organization. Its vision is “to become an important player within the Canadian philanthropic community by raising money for the benefit of children’s charities through fun and original events.” Learn more at gamesforhope.org.
Twenty-five teams, most from Montreal restaurants, bars and beverage companies, played in the GoalMTL charity soccer tournament on July 3 at Molson Stadium — and raised $42,000 for the Tyndale-St. Georges Community Centre and Montreal Community Cares.
The owners of the Burgundy Lion restaurant and pub organize the tournament each year as a way to give back to the community. Over the past six years, the tournament has raised more than $200,000. The teams pay to play and additional funds are raised in a 50/50 draw, and through food and beverages sold at the event.
TSN 690 broadcast live from the stadium; a VIP Media team featured Olympic speedskaters Charles Hamelin and François Hamelin; Kevin Gallagher of CTV; Andie Bennett of CBC; Conor McKenna, Jay Farrar, Simon Tsalikis and Sean Campbell of TSN 690; Shaun McMahon of The Beat 925; Andy Mailly-Pressoir of V/Journal Métro; Jeremy Filosa of 98.5/ Rogers Sportsnet), Arcadio Marcuzzi of 98.5 / Metro), DJs Bic and JoJo Flores; fitness expert Drea Wheeler; Lolitta Dandoy of Fashion Is Everywhere; Samantha Cutler of Silver Linings By S.
Montreal Ribfest 2016, a fundraiser organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the West Island, will take place Aug. 12-13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Aug. 14 until 7 p.m. at the PierrefondsRoxboro Borough Hall, 13665 Pierrefonds Blvd. The cash-only event will feature 20 food kiosks, with everything from bagels to beavertails and barbecue from six different places — including ribs, chicken and pulled pork.
Seventeen bands will perform and there will be activities for kids and raffles. Admission is free and all proceeds will go to support Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island is a not-for-profit organization. It gets funding from Centraide, West Island Community Shares and from individual donors such as those who attend the Ribfest.