The Society is made up of many men and women who dedicate their time and effort to helping us achieve our mission. It’s thanks to the commitment and involvement of these active community members that we’re able to make an even bigger difference in the lives of people living with ALS.
Strongman Hugo Girard was among the many participants who came out to support the Tremblay-Champagne family.
Ormstown rallies behind Michel “Mouse” Tremblay
On August 6, 2016, the RAM”Mouse”SONS POUR VAINCRE LA SLA family day drew out more than 1,000 participants in Ormstown, in Montérégie, to the astonishment of organizers Michel “Mouse” Tremblay, who has ALS, and his wife, Louise Champagne. “We were completely caught off guard. We’d set a goal to raise $10,000, maybe $15,000 at most, but the results were way better than we’d ever imagined. There are no words to describe how we feel. I never thought it was possible to experience so much gratitude. My heart is bursting with it!” said Louise, thrilled with the results of the event, which raised close to $37,000 for the Society.
4 years of dancing with The Classics!
(Left to right) Roger Boudreau, Steve Roy and Bruce Macleod have made up The Classics for the past 10 years.
For the fourth year, Roger Boudreau, Steve Roy and Bruce Mcleod took to the stage to perform the greatest hits from the 50s to the 80s as part of the Dance With The Classics event in support of the ALS Society. It was Roger, along with his bandmates of the past decade, who first got the project off the ground for his good friend, Larry Ayotte. “When I found out that Larry had ALS in 2011, I offered to organize a fundraising dance for the ALS Society of Quebec in his name. My wife and I spent several hours with Larry and his wife, Jacqueline, planning the first edition of the dance.” Not only did the event become a huge sensation, raising more than $17,500 in just four years, it also led to a lasting friendship between the two couples.
After receiving a liver transplant, 10 year-old Laurent wanted to give back. With the help of ZOOFEST and Poppers Coolers, he organized an Ice Bucket Challenge that managed to raise $620! “It has exceeded my expectations! I’m so happy to be able to help those who need it!”
In honour of Alain Bérard, living with ALS, three accounting and management graduates, Noémie Bérard, Marie-Christine Lalande and Wafaa Bayi, organized a comedy show in support of the Society that raised an impressive amount of $11 455.
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As part of the Youth and philanthropy initiative program, Nico, Eric and Todd from Selwyn House School did an outstanding presentation on ALS. They’ve won the competition as well as a $5 000 donation to the Society.
The 4th edition of the Kenny Rockhead Pool Tournament brought together once again friends and family.
Inspired by Michael Soles, students from Loyola and Sacred Heart Schools raised funds and awareness.
In addition to helping the Society, Marc Hébert is also getting involved with the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
Bromont Ultra goes beyond for the third consecutive year!
October 8 and 9, 2016, marked the third edition of the Bromont Ultra, with courses from 2 to 160 km pushing runners to the limits of their endurance. The event, which raises money for several different charities, attracted more than 1,350 runners and raised an impressive $29,000 for the Society. It wasn’t the first time that Marc Hébert, a member of the Bromont Ultra organizing committee, had gotten involved for ALS. “I first heard about the ALS Society of Quebec six years ago, under very sad circumstances when my good friend, Robert Michaud, was diagnosed with ALS. My two Bromont Ultra companions and I wanted to organize charity events to support causes that have very particular needs but that don’t always have enough funding, so that’s why I decided to make the Society my priority.”
Claude Fortin launches a bold challenge with Pierre Lavoie
Diagnosed with ALS in 2007, Claude Fortin never dreamed that a simple Ice Bucket Challenge issued to his idol, triathlete Pierre Lavoie, would take on such massive proportions. While giving an interview with his wife, Annie, about his disease, Claude Fortin challenged Pierre Lavoie, known for his Grand Défi movement, to pour a bucket of ice water over his head. The triathlete responded to the challenge a few days later and even upped the ante, in true Ironman fashion, by swimming 5 km in the icy waters of the Saguenay River and challenging others to take an ALS Sports Challenge. “I know Claude Fortin well. He’s a source of inspiration to a lot of people. Taking up his challenge was my way of honouring the man himself and the athlete he once was,” said Lavoie.
Pierre Lavoie showed support to his friend Claude Fortin by swimming 5 km in the cold waters of the Saguenay River.
Claudine Cook, Executive Director of the Society, and Diane Tkalec, board member, also tested their limits.
Radio-Canada anchor Patrice Roy and his friend, Charles Ménard, also took up the ALS Sports Challenge.
Former racecar driver Bertrand Godin did a 6,7 km rowing machine training in support of those who are touched by ALS.
“You have no idea how happy and excited I am. This speaks to my passion for helping others—I was an outreach worker at the CLSC for more than 20 years. I’ve set myself a very specific goal to do anything I can to help others.” says Claude Fortin, moved to see how many people took up the ALS Sports challenge.
