An initiative born of the COVID-19 pandemic, Microbrasserie 3 Lacs continues its commitment to the community three years later. Early on Tuesday, July 11, the co-owner of the Vaudreuil-Dorion-based company donated $800 to the Fondation du centre hospitalier de Vaudreuil-Soulanges. 

Denis Lapointe, Chairman of the organization's Board of Directors, accepted the donation. "It's a nice gesture that's much appreciated. For the moment, we haven't yet started soliciting the public for donations. That's planned for 2024, because even today, despite the presence of cranes on site, people are skeptical about the project's materialization," says Mr. Lapointe. 

Last year, the Microbrasserie also donated $800 in 2021, followed by $750 for its first donation in 2020. 

The donation from Microbrasserie 3 Lacs will be reinvested in the purchase of equipment and medication for CHSLDs and homecare patients in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. "Last year, thanks to donations like this one, we were able to invest $122,000 in the purchase of equipment for healthcare facilities located in the MRC. We're also able to fund zootherapy and music services at the Laurent-Bergevin and Coteau-du-Lac CHSLDs. These days, it's hard for CHSDLs to start a foundation. You need people who want to get involved," he adds. 

Barring exceptional situations, the Foundation does not purchase equipment for patients who are not in CHSLDs."Last year, we did so for a lady.When she passed away, the wheelchair we had bought for her was given to a CHSLD for another use."

Giving back

For Ms Dumais and her husband Michel Chen, co-owners of Microbrasserie 3 Lacs, it was only natural to give back to the community. To do so, in 2020, they created the 5.6% alcohol Your Season beer and decided to donate the profits from its sale to the regional cause. 

"We're located in Vaudreuil-Dorion and are citizens of Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot.We wanted to do our bit for our community, and the idea germinated in 2020, then continued three years later.We're also fervent participants in the Salon des vins de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the main fund-raising event for the Foundation" explains Sylvie-Anne Dumais, co-owner of the company, which is located in Vaudreuil-Dorion's industrial park.  

A touch of sweetness on the palate 

With its golden color, Méga-Saison beer is sure to please sweet teeth, as its taste hints at banana, honey and citrus."It's a cold-hopped Belgian saison that comes in 160 cans of just 473 milliliters, so it was available in limited quantities. All profits from the sale are donated to the Foundation," she confides.The beer is now available in IGA, Provigo and Métro supermarkets, as well as in convenience stores in the region.

The partnership between the company and the organization is set to continue until 2024.