Montreal investment firm steps up to feed health care heroes

Employees at Jarislowsky Fraser fundraised to treat 500 essential hospital workers to a warm meal

A group of employees at the Montreal-based firm Jarislowsky Fraser came together online to raise funds to support hospital heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) recently. The group raised $30,000 in a few short weeks to provide a catered meal to hospital workers from some of the hardest hit departments including the ICU, the ER, and the COVID-19 floor at the MUHC’s Adult Care Glen Site.

Led by Marc-André Nantais, a private wealth portfolio manager at Jarislowsky Fraser, more than 45 employees at the esteemed investment firm took part. Nantais and other employees also rallied their networks through social media. Nantais found an enthusiastic collaborator in Jean-Luc Tremblay, a partner at PwC Canada, who led efforts among the firm’s partners to contribute generously to the fundraiser.

Jarislowsky Fraser employees (left to right) Tasha Brooks, Quyn Pham, Marc-André Nantais, Vincent Lajoie,
and Mary-Ann Danko

“I was inspired by community leader Barry Lorenzetti from BFL Canada to do something for our health care heroes. After endless hours working to save lives, we just wanted to give them a break and provide each hero with a delicious dinner to let them know how much we appreciate their tireless efforts,” says Nantais, who usually takes part in a cycling fundraiser for charity at this time of year. When that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he decided to hold this virtual fundraiser in support of health care workers.

Meals were purchased from the Montreal restaurant Hoogan & Beaufort, where top chef Marc-André Jetté says it was meaningful for the staff to show health care workers how appreciated they are during this global health crisis.

“We were really proud to be part of this,” says Jetté. “We want to treat these health care workers who are confronted with COVID every day. Our suppliers and our restaurant staff are proud to come together to give them a gourmet meal to end their day.”

The five course meal was specially selected by Jetté, and includes buffalo ricotta ravioli, asparagus crème, liver mousse with honey, homemade focaccia, and berries with cheese mousse for dessert. Each package will include enough for two so hospital heroes can share with their partners. “I created a menu for two people so that MUHC employees can celebrate with their spouse,” says Jetté.

Jean-Luc Tremblay, Partner at PwC Canada (left) and Yves Ferdinand, MUHC Foundation Manager, Information Systems & Donor Relations
serving MUHC health care workers

Headquartered in Montreal, Jarislowsky Fraser prides itself on an entrenched team culture of investing and decision-making, one which carries over to its commitment to giving back to community. Nantais’ used the MUHC Foundation’s Personal Fundraising Page platform to aid his fundraising efforts. The online tool allows users to run their own fundraising initiative in support of the MUHC through a personalized web page.

“This is a challenging time for all of us, but we know our physicians, nurses, technicians and other hospital staff are fighting COVID-19 in a very real way every day,” says Maxime Ménard, President and CEO of Jarislowsky, Fraser Limited. “I’m extremely proud that our employees rallied together to say a genuine thanks as a team.”

For the past three months, the MUHC Foundation has been privileged to serve as the conduit for numerous initiatives to show support for health care workers at the MUHC through gifts of food, protective equipment, and other items.“We are so touched by gestures like these from members of our community, and we are happy to be able to support our hospital heroes in this way,” says MUHC Foundation President Julie Quenneville.

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the MUHC. It created a COVID-19 Emergency Fund in March to allow the MUHC to rapidly launch critical research projects to end this pandemic as well as support the tireless efforts of hospital staff in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.