The annual tradition that is the Guignolée food drive went ahead as planned in Rosemère on Saturday, December 2, thanks to the hard work and dedication of more than 200 volunteers. Multiple teams were dispatched to knock on doors throughout the town to pick up food and cash donations, while others were stationed at various intersections to solicit motorists. 

Organized by the Town of Rosemère, in conjunction with Entraide Rosemère, the food drive collected some 200 boxes of non-perishable food items and a $27,716 in cash donations, which included a generous $5,000 gift from the Corporation de développement culturel et sportif de Rosemère. Members of Jeunesse Action Rosemère also played an active part in the community-wide endeavour in addition to preparing lunch for volunteers on door-to-door duty. 

“The success of the Guignolée shows just how important the values of charitable giving and community spirit are to Rosemerites,” said Mayor Eric Westram. “I for one am very proud and very moved to see such incredible generosity in action, which is bound to make a huge difference for families who are going through a difficult time. My gratitude goes out to all our volunteers, including my fellow Town Council members, for helping make this year’s food drive a tremendous success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

Donated food items will be used by the Service d’aide alimentaire Saint-Maurice, Paroisse Saint-Luc, to prepare Christmas baskets. Cash contributions will be directed to Entraide Rosemère to purchase and distribute food vouchers. Everything received through the Guignolée will go toward helping local families in need.

Cash donations are still being accepted in person at the Town Hall reception and the H.J. Hemens Public Library circulation desk or through Entraide Rosemère (entraiderosemere@gmail.com). Residents who have canned and other non-perishables to give can drop them off by December 20 to one of the following locations:

• -    Town Hall (100 Charbonneau Street)
• -    H.J. Hemens Public Library (339 Grande-Côte Road)
• -    Memorial Community Centre (202 Grande-Côte Road)
• -    Recreation Department (325 Grande-Côte Road)

From left to right: Town Councillors RoseAnna Cirino and René Villeneuve; Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère; Jocelyn Lacombe, Entraide Rosemère volunteer; Fernand Proulx, President of the Corporation de développement culturel et sportif de Rosemère; Alain Brunet, President of Entraide Rosemère; Marie-Claude Themens, Entraide Rosemère volunteer; Martin Bergeron, Entraide Rosemère Treasurer; and Philip Panet-Raymond,Town Councillor.