History of the Grand Bal des vins-cœurs

$1,100,000 raised at the 2007 Grand Bal des vins-cœurs: another success!

The Montreal Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) rolled out the red carpet to mark the start of the fall season. On September 6, the 7th Grand Bal des vins-cœurs raised the sum of $1,100,000 in aid of the Montreal Heart Institute. A signature event, the Grand Bal is part of the annual fundraising campaign and plays a vital role in supporting the activities and operations of the MHI, particularly in the areas of research and medical innovation.  "As you know, the Institute is among the pre-eminent centres of its kind in the world. The next challenge, our own and yours, lies in doing all we can to promote our continued leadership in cardiology," says France Chrétien-Desmarais, Chair of the Foundation's board of directors.

2006 Back-to-school time has returned, bringing with it the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation's new season of fundraising balls and benefit evenings. On September 7, 2006, the Grand Bal des vins-coeurs kicked off the year by raising the grand sum of 1.1 million dollar.

On the picture : André Marcheterre, President, Merck Frosst Canada and Cie ; Micheline Martin, President, Division of Quebec, RBC Royal Bank ; Sylvain Toutant, President and CEO, SAQ ; France Chrétien-Desmarais ; Hans P. Black, Interinvest Corporation du Canada ; Mark Kakon, President, MK Group.

Held at Windsor Station's Salle des pas perdus, the Grand Bal des vins-cœurs welcomed over 900 distinguished guests. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a performance by Cirque du Soleil artists, who entertained everyone with their creativity and ever so delightful humour. Lady luck also came through for some of the evening's guests, one of whom won a trip to Paris at the splendid Hotel Le Bristol Paris, graciously provided by Air France and the renowned hotel itself. Also up for grabs was the one-year rental of a gleaming new Smart fortwo provided by Montreal's Automobiles Silver Star.

 

2005 The air was festive at Windsor Station's Salle des pas perdus on September 8, 2005, when the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation held its 5 th annual Grand Bal des vins-cœurs. This magnificent soiree, organized by the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), with the support of the SAQ, raised $1 million in net proceeds.

On the picture : Sylvain Toutant, President and CEO, SAQ ; Alban D'Amours, President and CEO, Mouvement des caisses Desjardins ; Stephen F. Reitman, Executive Vice-President, Reitmans Canada Ltd. ; France Chrétien-Desmarais, Chair of the Board, MHI Foundation ; Normand Legault, President and CEO, Grand Prix F1 of Canada.

For this 5 ^th anniversary, the Foundation extends its warmest thanks to the SAQ, with whom she shares a partnership for this event. This success would not have been without their unfailing support. Michelle Mercier, Executive Director of the Foundation, and France Chrétien-Desmarais, Chair of the Board of Directors, were extremely proud of these results and sincerely thanks both Sylvain Toutant, President and CEO of the SAQ and chair of the event's organizing committee, and his entire team for their hard work.

 

2004 The 4 th annual Grand Bal des vins-cœurs undescored  50 years of heart-warming stories of the Montreal Heart Institute on Thursday, September 9th. For a second year, the event took place at the Salle des pas perdus of the Windsor Station. Organized with the support of SAQ, the gala raised a whopping $1 million for the MHI Foundation. Over 850 guests attended the celebrations, including the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Deputy Minister Thomas Mulcair, as well as the Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay. On the picture : Right Honourable Jean Chrétien ; Mrs. France Chrétien-Desmarais, Chair of the Board, MHIF ; Mrs. Aline Chrétien and Mr. André Desmarais, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Power Corporation of Canada.