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Great gifts come in small gestures

Ottawa, June 3rd, 2022

At the Hôpital Montfort, the patient experience is one of the most important aspects of the service offered, requiring a unique quality of personnel that goes beyond expectations. Among these precious people, those who are part of the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort (ABHM) have a very special impact, on many levels, especially in the patients’ support. At the reception desk or in the hospital hallways, for a long stay or a one-day visit, these friendly people dressed in blue jackets welcome, guide, and accompany visitors, patients, and even new staff members, to find their way around the hospital.

Behind the scenes, the 260 volunteers are busy coordinating their efforts to organize various annual activities, including craft fairs, book sales, managing the hospital’s gift store, a thrift shop, contests and raffles, to name a few. The money raised by these activities allows the ABHM to take concrete action to support Montfort in its pursuit for excellence.

And these amounts are not insignificant! In fact, these seemingly elementary activities have allowed them to raise more than $500,000, which were given to the Montfort Foundation in 1994 for the expansion of the hospital, as well as a $600,000 donation for the perinatal project.

The announcement of another exceptional gift In 2020, the ABHM shows once again that the Hôpital Montfort can count on its volunteers for the completion of a major project, the Orléans Health Hub, for which it has made an exceptional donation of $600,000.

“The Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort is very pleased to financially support the Orléans Health Hub project. The ABHM is proud of its long-standing tradition of contributing to Montfort’s major infrastructure projects,” said Adele Copti-Fahmy, President of the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort.

Over the years and the many projects accomplished, along with its annual funding of various other projects and equipment purchases, the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort has contributed close to four (4) million dollars since the beginning of its existence through its various fundraising activities.

“Our volunteers participate day after day, through concrete actions, in initiatives that aim to support Montfort in its pursuit for excellence. They are very proud of the impact they have on the lives of patients, families, visitors and employees. The $600,000 donation we are celebrating today recognizes the hundreds of hours of work and dedication given by dozens of committed and talented volunteers,” added Ms. Copti-Fahmy.

History has proven that they are an integral part of the basic structures that are at the root of Montfort’s identity and operation. In short, thanks to the unwavering commitment of its many volunteers, the ABHM enables the Hôpital Montfort to achieve its goals in health care delivery: “The DNA of Montfort is strongly marked by the volunteer work. All the important projects that have made the hospital what it is today have received the tireless support of the ABHM.

The Montfort Foundation is pleased and especially proud to recognize in a significant way the impact of the tremendous commitment of the Association’s volunteers,” says Marc Villeneuve, CEO of the Montfort Foundation.

About the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort (ABHM)

Since its creation, the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort has had approximately 260 to 300 volunteers who collaborate with the Hôpital Montfort staff on a daily basis and offer their time and experience to significantly increase the quality of services offered to our patients.

Founded in 1954 by a few women who organized fundraising activities for the benefit of the Hôpital Montfort, it was not until 1974, thanks to the efforts of François Sylvestre with the Hospital’s Board of Directors, that the Association des bénévoles de l’Hôpital Montfort was recognized as a full-fledged entity with a decision-making committee and by-laws.

Thank you to these generous people who, through their ongoing commitment, have been able to lead the various fundraising projects that have enabled the Hôpital Montfort to reach high levels of excellence:

Mrs Agathe Bélisle 1979 – 1981 Mrs Andrée Marcoux 1991– 1993
Mrs Fernande Dubeau 1981 – 1983 Mrs Lise Milotte 1993 – 2002
Mrs Valérie Lepage 1983 – 1986 Mrs Denise Brisson 2002 – 2011
Mrs Agathe Bélisle 1986 – 1989 Mrs Brigitte Legare 2011 – 2015
Mrs Marie Carr 1989 – 1991 Mrs Adèle Copti-Fahmy 2015 –

The Orléans Health Hub

The Orléans Health Hub project is a partnership between Bruyère, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, the Hôpital Montfort, ParaMed, Ottawa Public Health, Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa and Champlain Home and Community Support Services. For more information on the Orléans Health Hub, its public fundraising campaign and to make a donation, visit donateohh.com

About the Montfort Foundation

Incorporated in 1986, the Montfort Foundation receives, maintains and administers funds for the development, expansion and promotion of the Hôpital Montfort’s mission in the areas of health, education, research and community well-being.

To learn more about the Fondation Montfort, visit monfortfoundation.ca