The RONA Foundation, which oversees the philanthropic activities of RONA Inc. recently donated $16,103 to La Passerelle, also known as Hébergement d'urgence violence conjugale Vaudreuil-Soulanges. The donation was made as part of the Bien chez soi campaign, which took place in RONA banners, including Vaudreuil-Dorion, from September 1 to 7. 

RONA encompasses the RONA+, RONA and Dick's Lumber banners. Thanks to the involvement of its employees and the generosity of its customers, the company raised over $515,000, which will be used to revitalize living environments or facilitate access to housing for victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families and people with special needs or mental health issues. 

The funds were raised through donations made at in-store checkouts and online purchases on the rona.ca website.

“This donation will be reinjected into the services offered to the women and children who frequent our organization. For example, we can pay for cabs for users wishing to go to our emergency shelter. The funds will also be used to finance our Maison 2e étage project, which provides safe, low-cost transitional housing for women and their children.Similar to low-cost housing, the rent for these apartments is lower for tenants, and the difference is absorbed by La Passerelle,” explains Véronique Girard, the organization's Executive Director. 

Does the organization often receive donations of this kind? “Yes, we're quite blessed, as we have good support from our community, both from businesses and individuals,” she adds. 

In total, the campaign supports 150 NPOs across the country that help victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families and people with special needs or mental health issues.“Everyone should have a safe place to live.It's something that's close to my heart, especially given the issue of access to housing that affects so many Canadians today,” says Josée Lafitte, Director of the RONA Foundation.

A significant local impact

“Our troops were particularly motivated this year! Our in-store and distribution center teams were particularly moved by the timely cause of the housing crisis, and were all the more committed because each team had the opportunity to choose the local organization it supported. I would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to this cause that is so close to our hearts,” explains Catherine Laporte, Chairman of the Board of the RONA Foundation and Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Customer Experience at RONA.