This text is part of the special Philanthropy section
As every year, the Quebec section of the Association of Professionals in Philanthropy, AFP Quebec, presents its awards of excellence on November 15. Volunteers, philanthropists or even organizations, of all ages and from different backgrounds, they are all new to celebrate their involvement in different causes. These winners are not without forcing admiration, as much for their unwavering commitment as for their deep humility, and their journeys are also and above all vibrant testimonies that in 2021, having your heart in your hand is not thing of the past.
“I had the pleasure of going to meet each of the winners. I have found extremely committed and caring people. They are very happy with this distinction, but these are not people who do this to have their name or logo somewhere. The fact that this recognition comes not only from the organization which benefits from their action – and which therefore submitted their candidacy -, but also from a jury which says “you are inspiring for our Quebec society and we would like to thank you” , it is therefore something touching for them ”, underlines Daniel H. Lanteigne, president of the board of AFP Quebec.
Mr. Lanteigne acknowledges having been particularly moved by the career paths of this year’s two youngest laureates, Léandre Gaucher, 12, and Alexe Gagnon, carried away this summer at the age of 18. “When I met the family of Alexe Gagnon, who fell in love with the jury, unfortunately Alexe had already died a little earlier in August from bone cancer. It’s crazy to see how these young people – I am thinking of Alexe and also of Léandre – who, despite the illness, decided to get involved, to promote the causes and to raise funds. It’s extremely touching and that was it for me this year in particular, ”he said.
A very eclectic cuvée
Of all ages, from all walks of life and with different life experiences, this year’s winners undoubtedly make the 2021 prize list a particularly eclectic cuvée, which clearly shows that there is not a single typical profile of the philanthropist.
“Of course, if we take a young Léandre, who has amassed 25,000 dollars in recent years, and put him in perspective with a Lino A. Saputo, we are in two completely different types of worlds. But there is a common vector which is the implication and the will to make our world a better world. This is why we also recognize the involvement of our young philanthropists. We hope that they will perhaps become the Lino A. Saputo of tomorrow ”, confides Mr. Lanteigne.
Conversely, the distinction of more experienced philanthropists who, like the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Saputo Inc., are committed with passion, has just as much its place, underlines the one who is otherwise Senior consultant and director of business development for Montreal at BNP Performance philanthropique. “We also recognize people like Lino who, beyond doing his job for his company, decided not to just be a business actor. Because yes, it is expected with the social responsibility of companies to make donations and to be a good corporate citizen. But, if I take the example of Lino, he went beyond all that: he got involved, he sits on boards of directors, he gives of his time, his expertise and his network; which made it so that he was recognized as a philanthropist par excellence. So, it is really up to the capacity and means of each one to ensure that his social commitment is transcendent and inspiring for our community ”, analyzes Daniel H. Lanteigne.
A value that continues to unite
If there is one observation that year after year, these prices make it possible to pose, assures Mr. Lanteigne, it is that philanthropy is doing well in La Belle Province. “Our Quebec philanthropic culture is always interesting because it is probably one of the most united. Are we the biggest donors in the country? The answer is not yes. But we are certainly a very involved community that responds quickly to emergencies. This is a great strength. Year after year, as candidates are evaluated, we certainly see an interest among young people in getting involved and becoming philanthropists very early in their careers; but also with the second and third family generations who perpetuate this tradition, ”concludes Daniel H. Lanteigne, stressing that philanthropy has emerged resilient and combative from the pandemic.