West Island Community Shares Plans Healthy Fundraising Harvest

“Community Shares funds 29 community groups in the West Island. Last year, these groups touched the lives of 27,000 people in the West Island,” said Caroline Tison, executive director. “By contributing to the Tree of Life Campaign, Pharmaprix customers are helping people right here in their own community.”

Be a part of the harvest

You can help cultivate the harvest by visiting any participating Pharmaprix store on the West Island and purchasing a “leaf” for a loonie, a “maple leaf” for $5 or an “apple” for $50. Each time you contribute, you can personalize a “leaf” to be placed on a branch of the Tree of Life which will be prominently displayed in the store. You can also go to www.pharmaprix.ca to make an online contribution.

The Pharmaprix Tree of Life fundraising campaign is a four-week program held across Canada each autumn. Customers, staff and Pharmacist-Owners at over 1,090 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores raise funds for a local health charity by purchasing a paper leaf, maple leaf or apple for the Tree of Life. Since 2002, the Tree of Life campaign has raised $9 million for Canadian health charities. This year alone, over 300 health charities across Canada will benefit from the proceeds. Shoppers Drug Mart stores are owned by local pharmacists who live, work and give back to the communities they serve.

About West Island Community Shares

West Island Community Shares provides crucial funding to 29 West Island community groups who deliver essential services to West Islanders in need. Our corporate partners include Pfizer Canada, Desjardins, Schering-Plough Canada, Tenaquip Ltd., Avon Canada, Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. Thanks to these corporate partners, 100% of donations received go back to the West island community groups we support. Last April, a total of $630,000 was distributed to 29 local community groups as a result of the 2007-2008 fundraising campaign. Since its inception, West Island Community Shares has raised and distributed more than $3.8 million. For more information on West Island Community Shares and the groups it supports, visit www.communityshares.ca.