The second collection of the Grande Guignolée of the South Shore media, the victim of a theft at the end of December, made it possible to raise $67,000 in donations and provide around fifty additional boxes to local organizations, the person in charge announced on Thursday the event.
Posted at 1:39 p.m.
“People were extremely generous! » explained Mr. Jean-Marie Girard, founding president of La grande Guignolée des media de la Rive-Sud, in a press release on Thursday.
The day before, dozens of volunteers held a new fundraiser at the corner of several arteries in Saint-Lambert, on Montreal's south shore. During the day, food donations also collected at the warehouse, which was the victim of a theft in late December.
Citizens, companies and the mayor of Saint-Lambert, Pascale Mongrain, contributed to compensation for the theft of around fifty boxes intended for disadvantaged families.
“People are so generous and outraged! », emphasized Ms. Mongrain, met on Wednesday evening in the Grande Guignolée warehouse. For them, the citizen mobilization to replenish the coffers of the Grande Guignolée was “concrete proof of our sense of community.”
“In Saint-Lambert we stand together. People help each other and greet each other on the street. It's a joint effort! “, She said.
A goal achieved and exceeded
The goal is to raise $10,000 and the equivalent in food, Herman Champagne, one of the volunteer organizers of this community effort, told La Presse on Wednesday. The results are therefore far beyond expectations.
“It's hard for me to express how proud I am of this memorable day! » added Mr Girard on Thursday. The 83-year-old has been responsible for the collection on the south coast since 2002. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the volunteers who spontaneously responded to the call,” he added.
“What a pride it is to be able to count on such remarkable people,” said Mr. Champagne the day after this special collection.
Funds and food collected by the South Shore Media Drive are distributed to approximately twenty area organizations to support disadvantaged individuals and families. Police surveillance around the warehouse provided to South Shore Media Drive has been increased to ensure security, Mr Girard said on Wednesday.