On September 6, the Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation announced it has received a major donation of $100,000 from La Friperie de Hawkesbury to the Lift Me Up! campaign to purchase patient lifts for resident rooms at the new facility in Hawkesbury.
The foundation is grateful for the support of La Friperie de Hawkesbury which has been serving the community for 32 years and was founded by Murielle Ménard. Current Director Marcelle Ménard is retiring after 19 years of service. La Friperie de Hawkesbury will close on September 30 and will reopen in October as Boutique PastELLE, operated by Maison Interlude House (MIH). The funds from the current Friperie de Hawkesbury are being distributed among several not-for-profit organizations, but the amount going to the Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation is the largest donation to a single organization. It is also the largest donation so far to the Lift Me Up! campaign.
“I think it’s important that we think of our seniors with special needs and the support staff who look after the well-being of their residents. We are proud to be able to participate in your fundraising efforts for a much-needed tool that will be used for many years to come,” said Marcelle Ménard.
Other recipients of funds from La Friperie are Maison Interlude House ($25,000) and the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank ($8,000). The Hawkesbury General Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Prescott-Russell Valoris Foundation, the Community Services Prescott-Russell Foundation and Groupe Action/Hawkesbury Family Centre will each receive $4,000.
For more information about the Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation and how to support their work, please visit: https:/en.prescott-russell.on.ca/stay/prescott_and_russell_residence.
MIH, which operates a shelter and services for women who are victims of domestic abuse, acknowledges many local residents were disappointed when they heard La Friperie de Hawkesbury was closing. MIH wants to assure the public the store will still be there as a source for bargains which also will support MIH’s work.
“When we heard that Hawkesbury Friperie wanted to transfer the thrift store to another organization, we quickly volunteered to take over. We already operate our own thrift store, Boutique PastELLE in Alexandria, since 2020. As we already had the in-house skills to manage this type of business, we lend a hand without hesitation,” said MIH General Manager Muriel Lalonde.
The thrift store at 896 Cartier Boulevard in Hawkesbury will be closed from September 21 to October 7 to allow for the transition of administration. And of course, when it reopens, it will be known as Boutique PastELLE, like the Alexandria location. The best way to keep up to date about sales at locations is to visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/friperiepastelle. Opening hours are also listed there.
MIH appreciates the involvement of La Friperie de Hawkesbury volunteers and the previous work done by Marcelle Ménard. MIH also thanks the L’Orignal Food Bank for donating equipment from its former thrift store to the new Boutique PastELLE in Hawkesbury.
Several current La Friperie de Hawkesbury volunteers have expressed an interest in continuing their involvement with Boutique PastELLE. And the organization is very grateful! However, more volunteers would be greatly appreciated in either of the Hawkesbury or Alexandria boutiques. To become a volunteer, simply call 1.800.461.1842, ext. 208, or e-mail [email protected].
