Raising funds with some fun

The West Island showed its dedication to women’s issues last week by raising over $69,000 to assist charitable organizations and ovarian cancer research.

The Women’s Links fifth annual golf tournament held Sept. 9 at the Braeside Golf Club in Senneville and restaurant Mundo Trattoria in Kirkland brought together business women across the West Island to support local organizations geared towards helping those in need, all while having a good time.

This year, the Women’s Links raised $19,000 from 100 participants through auctions and donations. The recipients will be the AMCAL Family Services, an agency offering residential services for teens and family counselling; West Island Mission, a registered charitable organization providing food and aid to people in need; the Education Fund for single mothers pursing post-secondary education; and the Cloverdale Multi-Resources Family Centre providing free day care, pre-school and summer camp services.

“(A big reason) we chose these organization is (all the participants) come from the West Island,” said Lynn Brown-Poole, co-President of the event and The Chronicle's new sales manager. “There could easily come a time when we could need (the help of these organizations), so it’s important to support them.”

The humble event was designed specifically for women at one of the West Island’s gorgeous golf clubs. Participants were treated to scrumptious gourmet food and revitalizing beverages.

Another fundraising event in the name of women’s well being was the third annual Turq-Wise ovarian cancer benefit on Sunday in Pointe Claire. The evening sponsored by Schering-Plough at Towne Hall bistro raised $50,000 in research for the Jewish General Hospital through auctions and donations, as well.

The founder of the event, Lea Valente, began her quest to find a cure after her mother succumbed to the disease. Valente wanted show her mother, celebrating her last birthday there was hope for the future.

“I was wondering what people were going to give (my mother) for her birthday,” said Valente. “So I decided holding a fundraiser would be the best thing to do to give her hope that their will someday be a cure.”

Since then, the fundraiser has grown enormously. This year host Orla Johannes and magician Jason Campoli were on hand to dazzle the 160 attendees.

“It’s a really young event and it’s different from other fundraisers,” said Valente. “(The fundraiser) is known for the energy we bring.

“Ovarian cancer research is under funded and we can bring awareness through these events,” Valente added.