Jonathan Hamel has his heart set on his feet. Even if his training center in Brossard was closed half of the year in 2020 to respect health measures, the resident of Saint-Philippe has nevertheless kept his commitment to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation by raising $ 90,000 for her.
Although he had no income for six months while still having to cover his fixed costs, Hamel says it never occurred to him to cancel his annual participation in this cause. On the contrary, he saw an opportunity to roll up his sleeves.
“I wanted to keep my involvement with the Foundation because I know that it has been strongly affected by the pandemic. She had to cancel all her activities, ”explains the owner of the HAMFIT training and kinesiology center.
Nevertheless, Mr. Hamel concedes that he did not expect to raise as much at his last fundraiser, the HAMFIT Challenge from December 14 to 21. He raised $ 50,000. 30-minute filmed training sessions were offered free of charge every morning to members on the centre’s Facebook page with a link leading to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation so that they could make a voluntary donation at their discretion.
“I did not set a goal this time because of the context of the confinement. Thanks to the virtual mode, we were able to seek out people from the HAMFIT community, but also people as far away as Quebec City or the Gaspé region, ”he says.
By adding up the donations accumulated by the 11 other benefit training sessions held earlier, a check for $ 90,000 could be given in 2020 to the Foundation dedicated to conquering pediatric cancer. This is a new annual record for this center.
Contacted by Gravité Média, the Foundation said it was “blessed” to have such a “precious” partner in these more difficult funding times.
“This involvement, as we all lived through an unprecedented crisis, brought us tremendous comfort.”
-Marie-Claude Lachance, Director of Communications and Marketing at the Charles-Bruneau Foundation
The 38-year-old owner refuses to take all the credit on his own.
“All credit goes to the HAMFIT community around me. It is thanks to the generosity of everyone, ”says the one whose center is generally visited by 700 to 800 people each week.
Reconnaissance
In November, its philanthropic activities earned it the postponement of the award for the pre-eminent company with fewer than 250 employees as part of Philanthropy Day organized by the Association of Philanthropic Professionals. Its various donations total more than $ 440,000 to sick children. Not so bad for the one who raised $ 900 during the first HAMFIT Challenge!
He also offers gifts
In addition, as usual, Jonathan Hamel purchased gifts valued at between $ 2,000 and $ 3,000 for the children cared for by the Foundation. Because of the pandemic, he could not go and deliver them in person, contrary to his habit. They were given to the children on December 24 after being placed in isolation for a few days.
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