Clifford Welsh
Local Journalism Initiative

CAMPBELL’S BAY – The second annual MRC Pontiac-sponsored Centraide Outaouais fundraising breakfast was held November 20 at the Campbell’s Bay RA Hall. The breakfast was initiated last year by MRC Warden Jane Toller to raise funds for, and awareness of, the work done locally by Centraide Outaouais (CO).

CO Director General, Cedric Tessier, explained the work the organization does: helping last year over 7,000 individuals in the Pontiac and partnering with seven agencies that are actively fighting “poverty and exclusion.” This year, CO distributed $223,000 between Bouffe Pontiac, Centre Serge Bélair, Comptoir St-Pierre in Fort-Coulonge/Mansfield, Le Jardin Éducatif du Pontiac, Les Maisons des Jeunes du Pontiac, Maison de la famille du Pontiac and Le Patro de Fort-Coulonge/Mansfield.

Tessier expressed appreciation to Warden Toller for continuing the breakfast this year and to all the business, community and political leaders and individuals who attended to show support for CO. A total of 129 tickets were sold and many local mayors and others who were not able to attend donated their tickets to Les Ami(e)s du Manoir St-Joseph so that 24 of the residents were able to attend the breakfast.

Speakers at the event, representing some of the organizations receiving support from CO, included Martin Riopel of Jardin Éducatif, Kim Laroche of Bouffe Pontiac, and Director General Stéphane Durocher of Maison des Jeunes and Le Comptoir St-Pierre. All the speakers described how the funds received from CO are critical to their operations and expressed their appreciation to CO and those who donate to campaigns such as the Warden’s Breakfast.

Campaign President Denis Harrisson expressed appreciation to those who attended and volunteered their time to make the Warden’s Breakfast a success. Harrisson described how across the region over 88,000 people have been helped through the work of CO and their program partners. He also spoke to the needs of addressing poverty, housing and mental health with caring and compassion, which requires support from campaigns such as the breakfast and also from individuals.

Director of Philanthropy, Noëlla Beausoleil, left the crowd with encouragement to participate in the second annual Centraide Outaouais 50/50 draw which is looking to hit a total pot of $50,000 giving the winner a whopping $25,000 take away. The winner last year took home $23,000 and ticket sales so far are exceeding those of last year. The draw is only open to residents of Quebec and tickets can be purchased online at www.centraideoutaouais.com where purchasers can indicate their region, enabling CO to track where proceeds should be distributed.

Warden Toller wrapped up the event by expressing her appreciation to the Municipality of Campbell’s Bay for substantially reducing the rate for the hall and to all the volunteers from the MRC, local organizations, individuals and businesses who gave their time and effort to make the breakfast such a success.

Photo: L/R: Centraide Outaouais DG Cedric Tessier, CO Campaign Mgr/MRC Pontiac Liaison Sara Ait-Jilali, MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller, CO Director of Philanthropy Noella Beausoleil and CO Campaign President Denis Harrisson at the Warden’s Breakfast event November 20 in Campbell’s Bay.