Bank of Montreal employees managed to raise almost $3,000 for the Smoky River Palliative Care Unit with the help of their clients. This is the 10th year the Falher branch of Bank of Montreal has raised money for the Palliative Care Society. They have raised a total of $16,832 over the years for the society. “If they (customers) know the money is staying in the community they are more likely to donate,” says Bank of Montreal assistant branch manager Claude Girard. “Our community is very generous each year during our fundraising drive at our bank.” Each year the staff tries to raise money for the Smoky River Palliative Care Unit. They also donate an adult prize and a children’s prize to an adult. This year’s winners were Crestiania Bolster, winning a microscope set, and Jean Boucher, who won a wine rack. “We choose a non-profit organization each year to give the donation to,” says Girard. “For the past 10 years, we have been dedicated to donating the money to the Palliative Care Society.” Girard explains the Palliative Care Society board members, including Lucille Leclerc (treasurer), Irene Brassard (president) and Aline Houle (secretary), choose what is needed most in the unit. Over the years they’ve purchased such items as comfortable furniture for the Palliative Care Unit room at the McLennan Sacred Heart hospital with the money raised by Bank of Montreal staff. “The only thing we state about the donation is we do not want the money to go to administration fees,” adds Bank of Montreal branch manager Carrie Bartel. “We comfortable donating to the Smoky River Palliative Care because we are aware nobody gets paid.” Palliative Care treasurer Lucille Leclerc explains the board members have also discussed purchasing equipment for the unit.