BNI Agora – Golfing for Breakfast $22,750

Golf is one of life’s true pleasures. At times a guilty pleasure when we should be doing something else. At times a frustrating pleasure when we can’t quite hit the drive, the approach or the putt the way Bubba, Phil or Tiger would, depending on what the shot is. At the very best of times, though, golf can feel like a deed well done.

Frédéric Bédard, BNI Agora and Account Manager at Groupe Domco, Annick Lebourhis, BNI Agora and President of Hémoglobine inc, Michel Cyr, President of Le Berlingot Foundation, Marcel Landry, tournament volunteer and President of Médifice inc, Sébastien Gariépy, President of BNI Agora and Partner with DEVIMO Inc. Evaluators, Suzanne Gobeille, BNI Agora and Yoga professor at Énergie Zen Santé, Gina Petraccone, tournament volunteer, Ms. Isabelle Couturier, V-P of BNI Agora and Notary at Couturier Notaire inc.

That was the case last June 19th when 128 individuals got together at Le Boisé Golf Club in Terrebonne, Qc., to play a round of golf, have a delicious supper and raise money for a really good cause. The event was the second annual BNI Agora Golf Tournament at Terrebonne, northeast of Montreal, this year in support of Le Berlingot Foundation. Berlingot, which is also the word for a single portion carton of milk, is a Montreal charitable organization that provides breakfasts and snacks to some of the youth of south-central Montreal. Without these breakfasts, many would go to school on an empty stomach.

“We really wanted to help needy young people,” said Sébastien Gariépy, President of BNI Agora. “There’s nothing more difficult for a child than starting the day at school on an empty stomach, and there are plenty of kids who do just that in that area of Montreal.” For the purposes of this charity, south-central Montreal stretches from the Jacques Cartier Bridge west to St. Lawrence Boulevard and from Sherbrooke St. south to the Radio-Canada building on René-Lévesque Boulevard.

“This was an extraordinary gift,” said Marcel Landry, who founded Le Berlingot 21 years ago. “We collect between $50,000 and $75,000 each year and that allows us to supply between 20 and 30 thousand meals and snacks. There are no administration costs,” adds Landry, proudly. The food assistance for children is provided at four elementary schools and four or five youth organizations in the neighbourhood.

Gariepy, the President of BNI Agora, is a Partner, Real Estate Appraiser and Specialized Real Estate Consultant with Devimo Inc. in Terrebonne. The BNI Agora Chapter in Terrebonne was started in 2009 and Gariepy joined a short time later.

So who won the tournament? Most people would say the youth of south-central Montreal. Since there wasn’t any official tally, however, the winners were the individuals who left the golf club with a 52” Flat Screen TV, the Breville Cappuccino Coffee Maker, the BBQ, the Ipad, the Ipod, the wine cellar and much much more.

Among the highlights of the day were the draws for helicopter rides, which took place right at the golf course, as well as the presentation of the huge cheque for $22,750 to Michel Cyr, President of Le Berlingot Foundation.

What about next year? “We hope to raise even more money for the youth of south-central Montreal,” said Sébastien Gariépy.

Frédéric Bédard, BNI Agora and Account Manager at Groupe Domco, Annick Lebourhis, BNI Agora and President of Hémoglobine inc, Michel Cyr, President of Le Berlingot Foundation, Marcel Landry, tournament volunteer and President of Médifice inc, Sébastien Gariépy, President of BNI Agora and Partner with DEVIMO Inc. Evaluators, Suzanne Gobeille, BNI Agora and Yoga professor at Énergie Zen Santé, Gina Petraccone, tournament volunteer, Ms. Isabelle Couturier, V-P of BNI Agora and Notary at Couturier Notaire inc.