Psychiatric nurse Cynthia Campbell baked past-president shortbread cookies. Architect Michael Ellwood brought homemade brownies. Interior designer Aurelien Guillory filled a decorative box with homemade festive cookies. But the highlight of the event was graphic designer Ted Sancton’s chocolate cake. So much in demand, Campbell had put a reserved bid on it the week before and he countered by bringing two.
Victoria Hall reverberated with laughter as Campbell and Guillory passionately auctioned the decadent fare. Proceeds went to defray the cost of Westmount’s only service club’s Christmas gift baskets. Member Richard Cornell bought much of the goodies and later admitted he was going to take it all the women’s homeless shelter Chez Doris. “It is the reason for the season,” he said.
Members of the Rotary Club of Westmount made their annual Christmas basket deliveries last weekend. To distribute the 50 baskets volunteers were broken up into 13 teams who delivered food, toys and new this year a Loblaw's gift card, all presented in reusable blue and gold Rotary Club of Westmount bags.
Committee co-chair Andy Durso told the membership, while holding up a sample bag, that this will be a lot easier than hauling an 80 pound box of groceries up three flights of stairs. Most of the deliveries were in the Park Ex area where there is a large Loblaws store.
The volunteers met at the Rotary office in Manoir Westmount after the deliveries for some light refreshments, including Bierbrier beer brewed by Rotarian Charles Bierbrier. Later they joined other members at the Club du Village restaurant on Somerville for a Christmas and post delivery dinner. For information about the Rotary Club of Westmount go to www.rotarywestmount.org or phone Roberta at 514-931-8690 or email info@rotarywestmount.org
For the second Christmas, Manager Shari Wolch of the TD Canada Trust Greene Avenue and her staff of 19 have taken on the community initiative of sponsoring a needy family. Wolch began with a food basket and added a new item of clothing for each of the family’s four boys 14 to 19 and three girls six months to nine years. From food to clothing and more, the Santas are making sure another family has what they need this year. To make this happen the staff involved the community by putting out tins clients could fill with loose change. In just over a week and a half the tins were filled with over $500, outdoing Wolch’s personal goal.
The bank’s primary fundraising initiative is for the Children’s Miracle Network but for the holidays the branch wanted to do more for the local community.
When Anthony Salvaggio, manager of the HSBC on Ste.Catherine Street, managed another bank in Westmount, he his staff adopted a family for Christmas. So it was natural upon his return to Westmount six months ago that he would do the same. Working with a connection to the NDG Black Community Association, Salvaggio and his staff of 24 committed to adopt a particularly needy family for Christmas. Beyond a gift card for groceries the staff organized everything from bedding, kitchen ware and small appliances to winter wear and gently used clothing.
As they worked they discussed the need to care for “their” family not only at Christmas but throughout the year. So in addition to delivering the brightly wrapped gifts and all they have collected this week, the branch will meet the family’s needs as they arise well into the new year. If you would like to contribute contact Salvaggio at anthony_salvaggio@hsbc.ca
Well Westmount, 2009 has been an interesting year of events, personalities and innovative projects. I am thankful for your input and creativity. Until next year, do make yourself a very Merry Christmas and enjoy a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year and 2010.
Warmest regards,
Marilynn
