Local banker gives WICS shot in the arm

West Island Community Shares executive director Caroline Tison got a very unique telephone call last Thursday, informing her the community organization would be benefiting from a $50,000 personal donation by National Bank Financial Group President and CEO Louis Vachon this year.

"Happy is an understatement," Tison told <@Ri>The Chronicle<@$P> when asked how she felt about the announcement.

Vachon, who said last week he would be donating $1 million to different charities, is closely involved with West Island Community Shares, serving as a co-chair of the organization's Red and White gala dinner last month.

The money comes from a total of $2.5 million that Vachon is getting back from investments he placed in asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP).

"Since Mr. Vachon lives in the West Island, it's important for him to get involved in local community organizations," said Denis Dubé, public relations director at the National Bank Financial Group.

Tison said her organization is given a huge boost with this donation's announcement. "We're very, vey confident that this will be a successful year," she told The Chronicle. The group has set itself a $675,000 goal for 2009.

West Island Community Shares has been around since 1997, collecting donations from individuals and corporations in order to distribute them to local charities at a yearly fund-distributing event.

"We're thrilled, and I think, from what (Mr. Vachon) told us, his comments were that we're very organized," Tison said.

With his donation to WICS, Vachon has indirectly donated to the 30-odd organizations that it gives money to every year, Tison added.

Last year, the organization raised $630,000.

Fund distribution this year will take place on April 2nd at the Dollard des Ormeaux Civic Centre from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.