News Releases
MONTREAL, November 19, 2008 – The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation today donated nearly $347,000 to 34 Quebec-based non-profit organizations as part of the third edition of Generosity Day, which aims to recognize and celebrate the volunteer work and generosity of BMO employees and the institution's customers.
In particular, the foundation donated $250,000, raised through the sale of 2008 BMO Bank of Montreal Dream Home tickets, to the following foundations that work with sick children:
- Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation – $55,000
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation – $55,000
- Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Qu�bec – $35,000
- Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke – $30,000
- Fondation les petits tr�sors – $30,000
- Ronald McDonald House – $23,000
- Marie Enfant Foundation – $22,000
The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation raised $1,151,280 in Quebec through its 2008 campaign. As the foundation's administrative fees are entirely assumed by BMO, all monies will be redistributed in the regions of the province in which they were raised, as has been the case with all campaigns conducted since the foundation was established in 1996.
“Together, through our concerted actions and our involvement, we can contribute to the well-being of our communities while also deriving great personal satisfaction,” said Fran�ois Hudon, Senior Vice-President, Quebec Division, BMO Bank of Montreal.
“Generosity Day allows us to pay homage to 26 BMO colleagues who have distinguished themselves through their involvement and leadership over the past year,” added Martin Beauchamp, Chair of the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation in Quebec. “It is also an opportunity for all BMO employees to be inspired by these leaders to exceed our fundraising goals in 2009.”
Colette D. Cummings, Director of Development at Moisson Montr�al, a food bank that has benefited from the Foundation's support since 2001, said, “In the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation we have found people who share our passion and our social commitment while favouring the development of lasting solutions to the problems of poverty. Unfortunately, on the eve of the December 4 Media's Big Food Drive, we once again have to call on the public to generously donate money and non-perishable goods. May the day soon arrive when we no longer need to do so!”
The following organizations were also present at Generosity Day and have received financial support from the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation in 2008:
- Accueil Bonneau
- Association des soins palliatifs de l'Est du Qu�bec
- Canadian Cancer Society – Quebec Division
- Centre d'aide et de services communautaires du Marigot
- Cure Foundation
- D�pannage St-Agapit
- Entraide Ahuntsic-Nord
- Fondation Bon-matin Jeannine Cossette
- Fondation Gemini
- Garde-manger des Pays-d'en-Haut
- GEMO – Groupe d'entraide de Mercier-Ouest
- John Abbott Foundation
- La Moisson Maskoutaine
- La Tabl�e populaire
- Le Garde-manger pour Tous
- Le Cercle des 4 vents
- Lebanese Syrian Canadian Ladies' Aid Society
- Moisson Basses-Laurentides
- Moisson Estrie
- Moisson Rive-Sud
- Montreal Diet Dispensary
- Pracom
- Soci�t� St-Vincent de Paul de St-Jean-sur-Richelieu
- Station Familles
- Taylor-Birks Foundation
- Virage, Groupe d'entraide de l'H�pital Notre-Dame pour personnes atteintes de cancer et leurs proches
- West Island Palliative Care Residence Foundation
About the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation
Founded in 1996 in Quebec as Fountain of Hope, the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation is a national charitable organization formed of working and retired BMO Financial Group employees. With the generous support of these employees as well as BMO Financial Group customers and friends, the foundation helps improve the quality of life of the less fortunate by providing support to thousands of registered charitable organizations across Canada.
Active nationwide since 2000, the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation raised $8.7 million during its 2008 campaign due to the efforts of its six regional chapters and the generosity of BMO Financial Group employees and customers.
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