Around 50 members of the Association des gens d’affaires d’Ormstown et des environs (AGAO+) gathered at the Vignoble Leblanc in Saint-Anicet for a networking event and conference on October 29 that focused on three member foundations and their vital work for the community.
Representatives for the Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Gisèle Faubert Foundation, and the Fondation Arthur-Pigeon described their missions and objectives as well as their upcoming projects.
The Fondation Gisèle Faubert is in fundraising campaign for the creation of a palliative care home serving families in the Montérégie-Ouest. The home will include eight palliative care rooms and will help between 185 and 200 families per year by offering end-of-life services such as respite, medication adjustment, and symptom management.
The Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation is planning to contribute $250,000 to renovate the hospital medical imaging department to accommodate a new CT scanner. The foundation has contributed to many other projects since it began in 1973, including major renovations to the emergency department and the hospital’s third floor.
The Fondation Arthur-Pigeon is dedicated to supporting deserving students attending and graduating from the Huntingdon-based regional high school. Since its creation in 1988, the organization has awarded more than $120,000 in bursaries to students and has funded enriching activities within the school.
Following the presentation, which was moderated by AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes, the members enjoyed a 5 à 7-style networking activity. Participants were able to make donations on the spot to the three member foundations. Close to $1,000 was raised between the three organizations.
The next activity for the AGAO+ is a workshop on the basics of corporate taxation, led by Gerhard Schmid, set to take place on November 25.
The workshop will end the association’s 2024 training program, which brought together more than 150 local entrepreneurs over a series of five workshops that were offered free of charge to members. (SR)