The Keg Thanks a million Campaign
In May 2011, The Keg restaurants initiated a program of subsidies allowing the general public to vote for their favorite projects. A winner from each region of Canada would be the recipient of a $25,000 grant toward the achievement of the community project.
Mrs. Manon Livernois and Manon Bourcier informed us of the campaign and we submitted AnimEscape for the province of Quebec. We were selected as one of the four candidates by a panel of judges from The Keg restaurants. When the voting period started, our faithful supporters along with Facebook friends were resolute and persevered by voting daily through June 14, 2011. A huge thank you goes to the precious ManonS for allowing us to live some very intense emotions throughout this journey.
AnimEscape won with the highest ranking having received the greatest number of votes for the region. Upon responding to an eligibility question, we were declared the official winners for our province.
On June 29, 2011, a cocktail was organized for the remittance of the grant in the presence of the media and our supporters. Mr. Dominique Loignon, general manager of the Vieux-Montreal location, and Mr. Hans Stefanson, general manager of the Place Ville-Marie Keg restaurant, welcomed us and assured our mission of their support throughout our project.
Throughout the course of events and our endeavors, I shall keep you all informed of the project and its progress, in the Work in progress chapter of this page.
We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to The Keg restaurants which, within the framework of the program, have remitted one million dollars to forty winners. This community initiative is a great tribute to them as with this grant we will be able to triple our capacity and welcome the companion animals of victims of domestic violence.
We also congratulate each of the candidates who all submitted the noblest of projects. We share the joy of the other thirty nine winners and wish them great joy and satisfaction as they attain the completion of their respective projects and community ambitions.
In honor of The Keg restaurants, and its President, Mr. David Aisenstat, and in order to emphasize their notable commitment to communities throughout Canada, our new building to welcome companion animals will proudly carry the name: Le Toit Keg.
Submission of the project
The file on the right is a presentation of our expansion plans as submitted during the campaign. It was submitted in French.
The budget of the Toit Keg
For over two years, our wishes were to get this project off the ground however insufficient funds prevented its fruition. As such, this grant will be dedicated to the expansion work. Although an additional $10,000 will be needed, we are confident that the fundraising activities we are planning will help in attaining part of this amount. Furthermore, all donations received until January 1st, 2012, will be affected to this project. During the submission process, I committed to personally provide any funding shortfall in order to ensure that The Keg Roof will be ready to take in its first occupant as of January 2012.
The document on the right is a report of our provisional budget. We are aware that this amount could be surpassed and that volunteers will dedicate many hours in order to respect as much as possible, the fixed limit of $36,500.
In the first and third pictures, I am accompanied by Quebec director, Mr. Dominique Loignon (left) of the location in Old Montreal and by Mr. Hans Stefanson (right), director of the Place Ville-Marie location during the official remittance of the grant on June 29, 2011 in Vieux-Montreal.
Click on the images to access and elnarge the photo gallery
Work in progress
As we advance with the construction, work is scheduled to bend December 2011, I will make pictures available along with a clear-cut follow-up of the completion of the project.
First step: Demolition of the old building
Saturday September 10, 2011
As early as 7h30, the ground vibrates with the movement of the demolition process. Everything is gone within a single day!
Second step: Digging
Sunday September 11, 2011
At 7h00, we start digging, in order to prepare the ground to install the forms and then put the cement in.
Click on these two images to enlarge
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 13 - 14, 2011
Rain or shine, Mario is singing on the job!
Tuesday, while he was working all day at his professionnal job, two big trucks delivered tons of sand, which Mario will have to compact as the "night shift" starts for him. Despite being on the job at 7:00 in the morning, Mario still smiles and whistles.
Wednesday, once again, two mountains of sand are delivered and this time, Mario sings in the rain as he carries the heavy vibrating machine three times over the complete surface. On top of it, Mario had to do some overtime at work so he got home only at 8:00 pm and had to rush before twilight.
You can also notice, on lower front of the picture, the poiting ears of Babou, superviising the worker!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
According to my "architectura"l drawings, Robert, conducting the mechanical digger, places the water drain in the center of the future building; afterwards, Mario has, once again, to compact the sand all around the drain and over the complete surface.
While the guys are getting the "masculine" job done, I gave in an hour of sewing cushions for the cats, curtains, get the accounting done and sometimes, I even try to guide them at the job! These guys are truly gentlemen since they remain very polite even if I know they are amused by my intrusions! I just can't keep it to myself ! But they are patient while explain to me the basics of construction, as I learn a lot!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Early morning, there was a moment of discouragement seeing our land being devastated as Robert reaches for the water and electrical supplies next to our house.
The photograph does not depict quite exactly how it looked! There were many little mountains of sand, rock and soil everywhere!
Meanwhile, Mario and Renée, a very dear friend, Renée, got busy installing the styrofoam cover over the cement flooring, then fixing them with a special tape so everything stays well in place until Monday, as the coffering and reinforced cement cast will be done. I contributed by handing them the tape!
Happily, at the end of this one again very busy day, when Robert leaves with his machinery, most of the "damage" is fixed and so we are in high spirits again!
Remittance of the grant
On June 29, 2011, The Keg in Old Montreal hosted a cocktail for the remittance of the grant. More pictures will be available shortly.
We were very happy to see all our most faithful friends and supporters: Audrey Roy and friend, Louis-Martin Lalonde and Mario Tittley, Dr. Martine Jobin, Nathalie Tittley and spouse, Guy, Alain Malenfant, his sister Lyne along with their friend Diane, Manon Bourcier and Manon Livernois, Joanne Turgeon, Janine Alfieri, Louise Lambert, Carmen Cimpian, Angela Silvaroli and Nicole Doyon. All were warmly welcomed by Dominique Loignon, Hans Stefanson, the big hearted directors from The Keg restaurants respectively from the Old Montreal and Place Ville-Marie locations. The staff also took part of this memorable event. Manu thanks also to my precious partner, Mario, who is my devoted chauffeur, taking time off from work, to make sure we can both attend those events.
Parce que la violence les blesse aussi...
Monday September 19, 2011
Cement done!
Here we are now! Rods are installed, cement installed and then smoothened.
It took more than 9 hours of hard work to proceed with this step. Our sincere thanks to the Finition de Béton Innovatech team for their professionalism.
Cliquez sur les images pour agrandir les deux galeries de photos suivantes:
At the end of the day, Blaise was very proud to put in his paw for eternity and to welcome all those who will stay with us.
The expenses
Here is the link to follow the expenses, as they occur and are paid. (in French only)
Thanking you!
Further to the Keg Resto-Bars funding, we thank all persons and/or companies that contributed to help us make this dream a reality:
Mario Tittley, my dear companion and most devoted volunteer
Renée Garceau, our dear friend
Mrs. Manon Bourcier and Mrs. Manon Livernois, for their exceptional contribution
Service de rebuts Baril Inc., for the containers, professionalism and haste
Les Équipements R. Daoust Ltée, for the location of specialized machinery
Transport R. Beaudet, for demolition and excavation
Finition de béton Innovatech Inc., pour armature, installation and finishing of the cement floor
H. Varin & Fils Inc. - Manufacturer of doors and windows, pour their donation and the remarkable quality of their products and service
Some shopping ...
September 20, 21 and 22, 2011
Since last week-endconstruction is on the hold, waiting for the roof trusts. Meanwhile, we selected our doors and windows, at H. Varin & Fils Inc., located in Ste-Julienne. We are grateful for their expertise, quality of the products and excellence of their service. We also thank Mr. Mario Varin, owner, for his very generous donation for the Toit Keg.
We also finished the plans, and are awaiting the list and cost of the material we will need to construct the building.
Quite a busy week!
October 1st to October 8th, 2011
This week, we ent to Toiture Mauricienne, in Lavaltrie, in order to design the plan for the roof and ordered it, which will be delivered on October 17. Thanks to Mr. Lacombe who explained to us, with patience and expertise, the slopes and how trusts are built. Once again, Mario had to take some time off so him and I could go there. Thank you, precious Mario!
Our supervisor carpenter, Reynald, will be here on Monday October 10 to start the construction of the walls, since we do not take any time off even on Thanksgiving day!
On Saturday October 8, wood material were delivered to us in order for Reynald to put in the first nail on Monday.
We also ordered the "Canexel" for the wall exterior coating. The colour is Yellowstone, a kind of caramel light brown.
In all, it is more than 9000$ that we spent this week only! And we are still far from finish line!
October 10, 2011
Within one day only, our three carpenters finished the four walls of the future Toit Keg.
We will see them again next week only since we are waiting for our Canexel shipped to us on Friday the 14th, the roof to be delivered and installed on Monday October 17, and the doors and windows arriving on Monday October 17, 2011.
So, on Monday the 17th, our carpenters will be back to keep rock 'n rolling the Toit Keg!
Click on images to enlarge
First picture: Walls are built on the fllor before being raised all together
Second picture: here are the four walls reunited
Third picture: Plaise's paw is filled with sawdust
Fourth picture: Partial view of interior
From October 17 to October 21, 2011
After a week with no activity, due to the delays in deliveries, on the early morning of Monday October 17, the buklding site gets busy again! Roof trusts are delivered and put on the second floor.
The stairs are built for us to someday go the the Chatouille "feline palace" soon, and the interior walls are continued. Furthermore, roof wodd structure to cover is installed; we now only wait for the coated metal sheets for the roof to be delivered and installed afterwards (delivery expected for end of this month).
Windows and doors from H. Varin Inc. are delivered and installed, as per the predicted time line, which is quite rare in the construction field. Many thanks, Mr. Varin and your team!
And looking at this emergency exit sign, I can only picture all of us with all of our furry or feather friends all safe, and comfortable in there!
October 22 to October 29, 2011
This week, the carpenters kept working on the exterior finish and completed for all the walls. Next week, they will add the windows and doors trimmings. From now on, you will understand that we will not provide you with outside views, since this would compromise our confidentiality and security for our guests as well. But as we will complete the interior finishing, we will gladly present pictures. Although, this might take a while now...
This week, the carpenters kept working on the exterior finish and completed for all the walls. Next week, they will add the windows and doors trimmings. From now on, you will understand that we will not provide you with outside views, since this would compromise our confidentiality and security for our guests as well. But as we will complete the interior finishing, we will gladly present pictures. Although, this might take a while now...
As a matter of fact, all the funds we had, being : the Keg 25000$ grant, donations for 1000$, ZumbaFest profits of 5000$ , Mario donation of 5000$ and mine as well of 5000$, are all gone...
On the October 29 weekend, with the help of Robert, several tons of crushed stone are delivered so we can repair the entrance, which was quite damaged with all the coming and going of trucks and initial digging!
Mario had to saw a hole in the cement of our home to put in the electrical supply that will feed the Toit Keg. Meanwhile, Robert dug approximately 9 feet deep from our house to the Keg roof so the municipal water arrival and sewer are connected. Next spring, Mario will have to repair the lawn where this was done. Besides a big dark brown spot on the lawn, everything is almost completely repaired. During the coming week, Mario and Robert will transport the construction debris and left ground to the municipal dump. The workers, for their part, will be back on Wednesday to put on the aluminum roof, which material was delivered to us this Saturday, early morning. We will also have a professional installator for the garage door and so all openings will be closed. Mario and I will start mid-November to work in the inside: plumbing, electricity will be our priorities.
However, we will have to wait a little while until donations enter because my spouse and myself already made our personal contributions of 5000$ each, and all the funds we had cumulated are gone. Should you wish to be part of this fantastic project, you can visit our Donation page and decide how you want to contribute. We will only be able to foster our firsts guests when the interior if finished, comfortable and safe.
Material we still need to buy:
Insulation - about 3000$
Interior plumbing - approx. 2000$
Interior electricity (wiring, fixtures, heating plinths, etc.) - approx. 1000$
Wall covering, inside, two levels - about 3000$
Dog park (fence, crushed stone, etc.) - about 2000$
Finishing repairing the land - approx. 1000$
Alarm, ventilation, etc. - approx. 1000$
Insulation - about 3000$
Interior plumbing - approx. 2000$
Interior electricity (wiring, fixtures, heating plinths, etc.) - approx. 1000$
Wall covering, inside, two levels - about 3000$
Dog park (fence, crushed stone, etc.) - about 2000$
Finishing repairing the land - approx. 1000$
Alarm, ventilation, etc. - approx. 1000$
For all this material, Mario will install on his own, so we do not have to pay more workers and so, all the money donated will be used for the material purchase. All the labour is volunteer! We evaluate at 15 000$ the funds still needed. As far as i am concerned, I will contribute with buying the furniture needed for the comfort of our guests.
We know we can count on you to give us a hand. Each dollar counts, no donation is too small! Thank you to help us save lives, both human and animal, by sending your donation TODAY!
Don't let this wonderful project become an unfinished symphony...
With XMas coming,
do not wonder anymore
about this person that
has everything, this picky colleague
or family member on your list!
A donation certificate is the perfect idea!
Simple and always great to offer or receive, the donation certificate will make it easier, secure and fun both for you and this special person!
The donation certificate: You will ask yourself: Why did'nt I think of it any sooner!
November 1 to 9, 2011
Today, we say thank you and goodbye to the workers; they have finished the exterior and roof ventilation. Sadly, due to lack of additonal funds, the building site is deserted...
Our accounts are empty... With 46 500$ to start with (Keg's grant 25000$, donations of 1000$, Mario donation 5000$, and Nicole's donation 5000$), having already more than 49 000$ disbursed, we now have a debt of 2500$ to reimburse and still 15 000$ to get in additional funds before we can continue this wonderful project...
The interior is still to be completed, electricity, alarm, heating, insulation in walls and roof, and then we will be able to welcome our first little guests.
Tomorrow, with a little sadness in our hearts, we will send the Keg management our final report and thank them, once again, for their most generous contribution to this wonderful project.
Then, as soon as we receive donations, Mario will continue the work to be done for the project and I will keep you posted on our progress. For my part, I will sew a little, purchase a little and hope a lot... May it be a very short and temporary goodbye...
