Thanks for helping Centraide raise record $180,500
President of the Concordia University Support Staff-Technical Sector union Rene Lalonde (centre) presents Concordia Centraide committee co-chair Miriam Posner with a cheque on behalf the members of CUSS-TS’s bargaining unit. Joining them (from left) are Centraide of Greater Montreal Co-Chair Richard J. Renaud, President Claude Lajeunesse and Concordia Centraide co-chair Kathleen Perry (far right). The presentation took place at a Centraide-organized holiday event in the EV Building on Dec. 15.
Photo by allison martens
Concordia’s Centraide committee members outdid themselves this year, raising $180,500 to help 340 non-profit charities and agencies help needy Montrealers.
“That is about $14,000 more than last year, and $20,000 more than the year before,” committee co-chair Kathleen Perry said. “The most important goal is to ensure continued support by securing new donors and increasing the funds raised.”
Perry said the most significant change was the increase in the number of “leaders,” those who make gifts of at least $1,000. There are now a 22, the highest number ever.
Co-chair Miriam Posner added that the number of employees who use the payroll deduction plan increased this year by at least 10 per cent.
“Based on this year’s experience, we’re looking forward to next year in terms of making it even easier to give to Centraide and to increase awareness of its marvellous work,” Posner said.
Over $3,000 was raised from the Concordia Cares raffle alone. The event wrapped up this year’s campaign in the atrium of the library building on Dec. 21.
Matthieu Pinard won the grand prize, a 27-inch plasma TV, while Elias El Khalil took home a mountain bike. Other winners were Sam Dannaie, Kamal Argheud and El Ruddy.
Although they wouldn’t divulge what is up their sleeves for next year’s campaign, Perry and Posner hinted they are considering having special events year round. The campaign usually runs from the beginning of October until the holidays.
On behalf of Concordia’s committee, the co-chairs would like to thank everyone who supported Centraide and those who gave their time to make it such a great success.
-Allison Martens