Giving the community a taste of what Amcal Family Sevices is all about is one of the reasons Amcal executive director Heather Holmes conceived A Taste of Amcal, and the fundraiser has grown into one of the community group's top public-relations tools as well as a great resource for supporting families, Holmes said.
"We really want to give people an idea of the work we do and the people we help," said Holmes. "That's the best way, in our minds, to stay relevant in people's minds and that way they know who we are and why we exist."
The fundraiser, which brought top West Island restaurants together to create a tasting experience that was second to none with Barefoot wines providing the libations, raised $14,000 for the non-profit organization.
"We were thrilled to have brought in $14,000 from the ticket sales, the raffle and the silent auction," Holmes said. "It just proves once again that the West Island will come together to support a worthy cause they believe in, and I think West Islanders believe very strongly in the concept of strong families," she said.
Restaurants such as 40 Westt steakhouse, Calzone, Sahib, By George Catering, Rockaberry, Sunrise Senior Living provided delicious treats while Barefoot Wines supplied the wine for the fundraiser, held at the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval, overlooking picturesque Lake St. Louis.
A number of local luminaries were in attendance, including Dorval mayor Edgar Rouleau, Beaconsfield mayor David Pollock and Pointe Claire city councillor Rob Geller. West Island Palliative Care Residence Teresa Dellar was also in attendance.
"This is a great event," Rouleau said. "It pleases me greatly that we were able to host it here in Dorval," he added.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the keynote address by former Amcal residential-program participant David Cyr, who recounted his days as a drunk, drug-using teen who was so intent on destroying his life that he was physically abusive with his parents. Today Cyr has a degree in biochemistry from Concordia University and is waiting on word from his application to McGill University's medical school.
"I couldn't have made the turnaround in my life without the people at Amcal, who took the time to get to know me and you could tell that they cared," he said.
Cyr's story left quite an impact with participants, if the 'you-could-hear-a-pin-drop' quiet was any indication.
Calzone co-owner Shayne Fuller said dishing out pizza and charity left him feeling great.
"It was awesome. I'm definitely coming back next year."
For more information on Amcal or its fundraising activities, (the next event is the Family Matters golf tournament, slated for Beaconsfield Golf Club Sept. 13) call 514-694-3161 or visit them online at www.amcal.ca
