Eight years ago I helped establish the first-ever Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee. We began with a small group of volunteers, spearheaded by Shelly Schecter of Educhat and a small allocation from the city.
Very quickly we learned that if you are going to conduct a Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program there is a heavy cost attached to this task, so fundraising was absolutely necessary. The fabulous Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Milo, rehearsed on our premises so I approach then to do a benefit concert at the Wagar Auditorium. From that very first event seven years ago, we had a big success on our hands. Our committee came together and staff from the set stepped up to lend an invaluable hand.
The most recent annual concert took place on October 9 at Wagar, a change from all our previous late August dates. We made the switch to ensure that we avoided a hot and stuffy evening. Well October began on the cool side, but wouldn’t you know it on the day of our event a 60 year record for high temperatures was set. A day later it was cold outside again. That being said we sold more than 300 tickets. Singers Alexandra Cohen (also our emcee) and Nicole Arrage were superb. The Musicians of the World were their usual delight and the Gideon Vigderhous Quartet brought the crowd to its feet. We especially appreciated it when Gideon integrated the word “Meow” into one of his numbers and had the audience repeatedly shout it out.
We thank our main sponsors, Sean Flynn from Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, Chuck Altman from Little Bear Pet Supplies and D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA David Birnbaum. Artist Nelly Leitner donated a beautiful painting we held a raffle for. Committee members Ronnie Roter and Randi Kader sold cat novelty items and raffle tickets. Tireless worker Fern Collier-Pereira began working on our bake sale months ago and persuaded so many wonderful people to contribute goods. Ellen Kogut introduced our first kosher snack corner. Chuck Altman also donated some nice items for the raffle.
Councillor Mitch Kujavsky, a cat and dog owner, co-chaired the event with me. His wife Jordana baked some delicious muffins. Councillors Ruth Kovac, David Tordjman, Steven Erdelyi and Sidney Benizri were in attendance. Elisabeth Prass represented David Birnbaum. Mayor Mitchell Brownstein was out of town at a conference, but send words of welcome in our program book. Former Councillors Sam Goldbloom and Glenn J. Nashen were on hand and I very much appreciate their support. Sam and wife Bev have a cat and as such Sam still sits on our committee.
Mere words cannot express how grateful we are to Diane Liebling, the devoted chairman of our Cats Committee.
This year our CSL Public Library assumed the primary organization of the event. Thanks to Chief Librarian Janine West, main coordinator Danielle Belanger, Farah Mohammed, Lisa Milner and Justin Burnham.
Parks and Recreation remained a key player, most notably the invaluable Alvin Fishman and Maurizio Giobbi who once again handled the key logistical tasks. We are sad to say goodbye to Michel Leblanc, the uber-talented caretaker at Wagar who retires soon. He did a magnificent job the last few years handling our sound and lighting needs.
Regine Banon in Communications and graphic artist extraordinaire Ruth Farrugia play a crucial role in ensuring we market the event property.
Thanks to our Finance Department and Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson for overseeing our budget.
There are so many committee members to thank, Rachel Alkallay being one of them. Rachel oversees an information table once a month. She also sold many tickets and is a very devoted individual.
While everyone went home pleased with the evening’s entertainment, our Cats Committee gained the security of sufficient funds which will allow us to continue the hard work of rescuing homeless cats, having them sterilized and looked after medically and arranging adoptions when possible. We have a group of people who foster cats while we seek homes for them. Then there are the good souls who feed outdoor cats year-round. That is where the proceeds from our bake sale and raffle will go. We are grateful as always to the Côte Saint-Luc Hospital for Animals which tends to the cats we rescue.
Now our work continues. Some other smaller-scale fundraisers will take place. People can always make a donation. Someone who prefers to remain anonymous, now residing elsewhere, sent us a very generous cheque. Another individual bought 10 tickets for people who could normally not afford such an evening.
If anyone wishes to volunteer for our committee email dianeliebling@gmail.com or log on to www.cotesaintluc.org/cats.
Here is an interview I did with Nancy Reich on Breakfast TV.
Here I am on CJAD with Andrew Carter.