The Rockland Aid Centre gathered on November 2 to celebrate two retiring members that have been integral to the Centre for a long time. Serge Carrière and Rhéal Filion have retired from their positions after years of working and volunteering; Carrière volunteered as treasurer for almost 20 years, and Filion is a founding member and former president who has worked there for almost 30 years.
“Thank you, thank you for your presence here tonight,” said Jean-Marc Lalonde, Rockland municipal councillor and former mayor. “It’s very important we recognize the people who do a lot in the community.”
Members gathered in the hall of the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization and charity founded in 1896. The current president of the Centre d’Aide, André Perras, presided over events as coworkers and old friends regaled the hall with stories of youth spent and time working together. Accolades were recounted, jokes were told, and their time with the Centre was celebrated.
“Serge installed an accounting software at the Centre, he was very involved in that,” said Conrad Montcalm, another former president of the Centre. “He brought us from the 1990s into the 2000s. Everything was automated as long as Serge was there to enter the information.”
The gathering was a happy affair, because although Carrière and Filion are leaving the Centre, their impact will be felt for years to come. Filion was instrumental to the Centre’s inception, and he and Carrière helped build it into what we see today: a force for good in the community, a pillar of support for those who need it most. Both received certificates of thanks for their contributions on behalf of the city.
“What an honor to have been invited to celebrate Mr. Rhéal Fillion and Mr. Serge Carrière, who dedicated their time to helping the citizens of our City by volunteering at our Help Center,” said current Mayor Mario Zanth. “Congratulations, gentlemen!”
