Combat holiday melancholy by giving, celebrating those who give

Natalie Bercovici

December 2011

Celebrating any holiday or milestone can bring on mixed emotions because there is a sense of melancholy for loved ones who are no longer with us.

We are, nevertheless, inspired by a sense of excitement and a boost of energy at Christmas and Hanukah.

Officially we count the days to Christmas from the Generations Foundation Holiday Breakfast at La Stanza Restaurant, but long before the first snowflakes, the telephones were ringing for children and their families.

Families were identified by Generations Foundation to receive Gazette Christmas Fund cheques. Our winter campaign letters were written and mailed to prospective donors. Lists of schoolchildren poured in for toys to be wrapped and labeled by volunteers working day and night.

Turkey lunch with all the trimmings is on the menu at many schools where we are invited to join the celebrations. Our food and toy drive is in full swing to ensure that an abundance of food is on family tables and toys are ready for giving.

Many students volunteer to help our kids. We are so grateful for your participation in this journey of caring and love; the toy companies, media, generous donors and volunteers, board members and staff and all of you who open your hearts to those in need this holiday season.

Happy holidays!

Nicolas Carpentier

On November 16, 2011, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal honoured four Montrealers for their outstanding contributions.

Representing the social sector was our co-founder and executive vice-president, Sid Stevens, honoured for 57 years of community involvement.

The recipient for the economic sector was the executive chairman and founder of Aldo Group Inc., Aldo Bensadoun. A philanthropist, Bensadoun made social responsibility a pillar of his company; this year, he was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.

The Board of Trade chose Pierre Fortin, emeritus professor of the Department of Economics at UQAM, for his scientific contributions.

In addition to being named a Great Montrealer, Fortin has been the recipient of the Governor-General’s Gold Medal.

Last but not least, the recipient for the cultural sector was world-renowned animator and filmmaker Frédéric Back of The Man Who Planted Trees, which won more than 40 awards.

Nominated four times for an Academy Award, Back won twice for Best Animated Film. He is a Knight of the Ordre National du Québec, an officer of the Order of Canada and an Officer of France’s Ordre des arts et des lettres.