Aube-lumière poinsettia campaign beings Saturday
The Maison Aube-lumière palliative care home will be starting their annual poinsettia
campaign this weekend, despite having had to reorganize due to the recently imposed red zone restrictions. With many of their annual fundraising events having been cancelled in 2020, the importance of the campaign is
greater this year than ever.
“Usually, we have a press conference and cocktail hour to announce the campaign but, when we switched into the red zone, Santé Publique asked us
to not proceed with the event,” said Vicky Bélanger, director of finance and communications at Maison AubeLumière. “Instead, we decided to prerecord those who would have spoken and launched the campaign that way.”
Last year, the poinsettia campaign raised more than $133,000 for the Maison Aube-lumière and, each year, the campaign makes a significant contribution to the continuation of services at the home.
“Those who come here are able to access our services free of charge,” said Bélanger. “That’s why our fundraising efforts are so important. They keep us open for those who need us.”
Since 1997, The Maison AubeLumière has housed and cared for more than 3,300 people with advanced cancer free of charge. Each year, the volunteers are required to raise a total of $1 million in order to keep their doors open. With the uncertainty of the health crisis, homes like Maison Aube-lumière were lucky enough to receive government funding to support their services.
“Our goal for the poinsettia campaign is $110,000,” said Bélanger. “We’re always hopeful and, even though this is less than what we raised last year, we should reach our annual goal with this campaign.”
Poinsettias will be available to purchase starting on Nov. 21 at the Serres St-élie greenhouses on Industriel Boulevard in Sherbrooke, which is where they’re also grown.
“They receive them very small in July,” said Bélanger. “They then raise them there in a greenhouse reserved just for us. This year, we have 6,400 to sell and we’re hoping to have them all gone!”
There is also an online shop where members of the public can purchase poinsettias and have them delivered to their homes.
“We have more volunteers this year to help with delivery because a lot of people, especially the elderly, are preferring to stay home,” said Bélanger, sharing that people will also be able to purchase poinsettias at the Carrefour de L’estrie from Dec. 3 to 13, in a store dedicated just to the campaign.
“We want to encourage people to come and buy them,” added Bélanger. “We don’t know what Christmas will be like just yet, so come and buy some color and cheer to add to your decoration.”
To purchase your poinsettias online visit:
https://www.boutiqueaubelumiere. com/