West Island Community Shares’ 11th Annual Golf Tournament held on June 8th at the Beaconsfield Golf Club was a resounding success, raising an amount of
$80,000. The tournament is a key event because the proceeds will help to finance Community Shares’ 2009-2010 Annual Fundraising Campaign and provide funding to 30 local community groups.
“At first we were concerned about the impact the uncertain economy could have on this
fundraising event,” said Caroline Tison, Executive Director of Community Shares. “Our
concerns were completely unwarranted. The support of our business and community leaders has been phenomenal, proving once again that a strong, healthy community is a priority for everyone.”
This event was made possible thanks to its main sponsors: Merck Frosst Ltd. (Platinum), Pfizer Canada Inc. and Schering Plough (Gold), TD Bank Financial Group (Silver) and the Montreal Exchange (Bronze). In addition, the golf carts were generously sponsored by Mercedes and Labatt donated the beer offered throughout the day. More than 190 people from many other organizations also rallied to support Community Shares by registering to play in the tournament, attending the dinner or volunteering.
“Our goal was to make sure that everyone who came out had a great day,” said Steve Fahey, President of Elements Promotions and a member of the organization committee for the tournament. “Because of the on-course activities as well as the goods and services donated by many businesses, I think it will stand out in the minds of our guests for a long time.”
Several on-course activities provided plenty of incentive for participants to shoot their best round of golf. A golfer who hit a hole-in-one on the fourth hole had the opportunity to win a $5,000 travel voucher from Voyages Gendron. On the eighth hole, the golfer whose ball landed closest to the pin won a weekend for two at the Fairmont Montebello and the use of a Mercedes for the weekend offered by Mercedes-Benz. Finally, all those who competed against CTV Sports Anchor, Paul Graif, in Beat the Celebrity Pro, were eligible for the draw of a prize.
Golfers also sampled an array of goodies on the course including: Gourmet burgers and
sandwiches offered by 40 Westt Steakhouse and Raw Bar and Towne Hall, water, soda and fruit graciously offered by Supermarché IGA - Famille Lalonde, Lambert ice cream tasting, Italian rice balls provided by Les Aliments Royale.
During the evening guests participated in a silent auction which included more than 90 quality items, all generously donated by businesses and corporations.
West Island Community Shares wishes to thank the golfers, dinner guests, sponsors and
volunteers who, year after year, offer their support and contribute to making this an event to remember.
West Island Community Shares provides crucial funding to 30 West Island community groups who deliver essential services to West Islanders in need. Its corporate partners include Pfizer Canada, Desjardins, Schering-Plough Canada, Tenaquip Ltd., Avon Canada, Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Bromelin People Practices and Roxboro Excavation. Thanks to these corporate partners, 100% of donations received go back to the West Island community groups supported by Community Shares. Last April, a total of $685,000 was distributed to 30 local community groups as a result of the 2008-2009 fundraising campaign. Since its inception, West Island Community Shares has raised and distributed more than $4.5 million. For more information on West Island Community Shares and the groups it supports, visit www.communityshares.ca.
