The talent of the Pontiac brought out the best of the community Friday night, raising money for the Pontiac Health Centre's palliative care unit. The third annual cabaret fundraiser show was held at Ecole Secondaire Sieur de Coulonge to help raise funds for the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation and the Palliative Care Committe to use on the unit. "I was very happy with the cabaret", said Monique Deiber, the organizer of the Cabaret Fundraiser Show and executive secretary of Pontiac Health and Social Services Centre. The funds will be used to develop the palliative care unit at the hospital as well as funding palliative care services given at home and at residential centres.
Over 45 performers presented 16 acts in a two-part show.
Highlights of the show were the Fort-Coulonge rock band Thurd Side, a duet by Lise Dumouchel and Richard Dubois and the first-time cabaret performance by square dancers Les Pieds Volants de Fort Coulonge. All performers volunteered their time and energy for the cabaret.
"There were many (health centre) employees who performed", said Deiber. "And we always have people come back each year such as Chris Kyte, Joey Vaillancourt and Lawrence Mahusky."
The cabaret was reduced from a two-night event to a one-night event this year for the first time.
"This year was different than other years", said Deiber. "We gave paintings donated by local artists and artists from Abitibi and Trois Rivières. Artists Betty Pearson of Fort Coulonge, Ginette Savoie of Fort-Coulonge, Marie Clermont of Abitibi, Gérald Dextrase of Trois Rivières and Nancy Dagenais-Elliott of Shawville donated art works.
The paintings will be used to decorate the three new rooms of the palliative care unit.
The unit is set to be completed in the coming weeks.
Last year $2,212.60 was raised. The total amount raised this year was not available by press time.
Photos, video and the donated paintings will be displayed on the cabaret's website www.cabaretpontiac.com and musicians interested in volunteering for next year's cabaret can also sign up there.
"If people would like to participate they are more than welcome", said Deiber. "It's good to have new people".

Leah Miller
The Equity reporter