On May 30, over 600 people attended the Gregory Charles benefit concert, presented by Desjardins in collaboration with GRAVITÉ, to raise funds for the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Suroît. In a packed Cathedral Basilica, the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Suroît was proud to celebrate the success of its rallying event, which raised just over $26,000 net to support and improve the health of people in the region.

A concert of communion

Set in Valleyfield's magnificent basilica-cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, Gregory Charles and his string quartet provided the 600 guests in attendance with a moment of musical magic.

Performing unique classical pieces inspired by the Renaissance era in the first part of the concert, Gregory Charles also offered a medley of the best Quebecois songs. Mr. Charles' powerful voice brilliantly delivered songs by Jean-Pierre Ferland, Les Cowboys Fringants, Robert Charlebois and many others, much to the delight of the audience.

The performance was enhanced by the presence of the 40 choristers of the Chœur des Gondoliers, who flooded the cathedral basilica with their beautiful voices. "We attended a grandiose concert! The venue, the music, the generosity of Gregory Charles and the Chœur des Gondoliers: everything was there to make it an unforgettable experience! We really felt the strength of our community and everyone's commitment to supporting our hospital, the Hôpital du Suroît,” says Michèle Cyr-Lemieux, Executive Director of the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Suroît.

A close-knit community

As the Suroît Hospital Foundation's first benefit concert within the walls of the Cathedral Basilica, the May 30 event was marked by strong collaborations with local players. The show's producer, VASLPEC, handled the technical logistics of the evening, while GRAVITÉ, as media partner, ensured that the event was well received by the general public. Le Petit Potager provided sustenance for the 50 or so volunteers deployed for the occasion. The generosity of the staff of the Fabrique de la Paroisse de Sainte-Cécile and the choristers of the Chœur des Gondoliers made the evening memorable for all.

The Suroît Hospital Foundation would also like to thank the 4 Desjardins caisses in the region (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Beauharnois, Haut-Saint-Laurent and Vaudreuil-Soulanges) for their invaluable support. 

For information on the Foundation, call 450 377-3667.