Pictured above, in front, from left, are Carrie Bartel, Bank of Montreal branch manager; Lucille Leclerc, treasurer for the Smoky River Palliative Care Society; Cecile Turcotte, the society’s secretary; and Joanne Duval, a customer service representative. In back, from left, are Donna Buchinski, financial services manager, and Louise Fournier, a CSR. Not shown are Henry Wawrzonek, winner of the snowman ornament, and Doris Gagne, the bear ornament winner. Also not shown are BMO staff members Claude Girard and Gilbert Aubin. The Bank of Montreal held a raffle for the Smoky River Palliative Care Society and raised $2,862. One-hundred per cent of the money raised goes to the society. During October and November, the branch accepted donations and for every $2 donation, the person’s name was entered into the draw for the two prizes. Now in its seventeenth year, this charitable cause has raised $39,390.25 for the palliative care society. BMO chose this non-profit organization because it benefits everyone of the communities in the area. The branch says that customers and community members are very generous when they know the monies collected will stay within the communities, and they look forward to their fundraising efforts in 2017.