Madison Chandler, the reigning queen of the Chateauguay and Valley Irish Heritage Association, presented a cheque to Donna Cormier, the executive director of La Bouffe Additionnelle, following the success of her Irish Crowns Unite for a Cause fundraiser in September.
“It was a really good turnout and people were really generous,” says Chandler, who organized the event to raise funds for the Chateauguay Food Bank, the Katerie Food Basket in Kahnawake, and the Huntingdon-based food pantry. The three organizations each received $2,200.
The fundraiser featured Irish dancing performances by the Chateauguay Academy of Irish Dance including two solo numbers by Chandler, and a performance by Esme Cavanaugh, the queen of the Soulanges Irish Society, who sang with the members of her Gaelic band, Gráinne. Samara O’Gorman, the queen of the United Irish Societies of Montreal, sang and read poetry. The event also featured a silent auction.
“I think the money is going to be put to a good cause,” says Chandler, who is hoping to make this an annual event to raise awareness about the Irish societies as well as food insecurity in the region. (SR)
