Latest news with #Lasalle
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Relay for Life event at Lasalle High School raises money for cancer patients
Students at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School in Lasalle participate in Relay for Life fundraiser to support local cancer patients. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Students at a Lasalle Ontario high school kicked off their 5th annual 'Relay for Life' event this Friday afternoon. The aim - to raise $60,000 to help those battling cancer. The fundraiser is held by schools nation-wide – with a record number of students participating this year. The event features numerous activities but most important of all are the 'survivor lap' and the 'luminary ceremony.' 053025 - Relay for Life Students at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School in Lasalle participate in Relay for Life fundraiser to support local cancer patients. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Most of the funds stay local - helping people who are battling cancer with transportation costs, hospital and hotel stays, a help hotline and other patient care resources. Allie Raper is manager for the Canadian Cancer Society. Raper is impressed and grateful to the students, teachers, staff and school for their efforts to support the cause. 'The dollars they are raising is supporting world class research, advocacy efforts, support services and so much more,' said Raper. 053025 - Relay for Life Students at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School in Lasalle participate in Relay for Life fundraiser to support local cancer patients. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) 'Whether you're creating a world where Canadians don't have to live in fear of cancer, but rather how can we create a world together, living with and beyond cancer. And we're so thankful to be here with this incredible group today.' Last year the event's target of $50,000 was exceeded - with $72,000 raised in total.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago companies throw March Madness parties to boost morale, business
The Brief Chicago companies embrace March Madness – Instead of resisting lost productivity, businesses like Lasalle Network turn the tournament into a morale-boosting event with office watch parties and client networking. Work still gets done – Employees balance deadlines with festivities, using the event as a way to engage with clients and maintain productivity. Hospitals join the fun – Shriners Children's Chicago hosts a free throw contest for staff, giving patients a chance to see their caregivers in a different light. CHICAGO - As March Madness 2025 gets underway, economists are warning the tournament will cost American businesses billions of dollars in lost productivity. That's from workers checking their brackets, sneaking out for long lunch breaks to watch games or even calling in sick. So you might be surprised to learn that some Chicago companies are embracing the tournament as a way to build morale—and business. What we know "We're looking at Lasalle Network March Madness. We like to call it Le Madness," said Rob Trzcinski, sales director for Lasalle Network, as we stood in the middle of a cubicle-filled party room with food, beer and TVs showing the games. Not a single employee had to furtively sneak a peek at their brackets. "Back in the day, we figured instead of pushing it away, let's embrace," said Lasalle Network Chief Operating Officer Maureen Hoersten. "Create a day out of it knowing that everyone's going to be hiding watching their games or going out to watch them at lunch and not coming back. So we said, 'why not make it an event for everybody?'" Lasalle throws its March Madness bash right in its 25th-floor office. They're slam-dunking on economists who calculate March Madness costs American businesses $17 billion in lost productivity. Dig deeper This is the 12th year the company has held the March Madness event and business is actually being completed because they also invite all their clients. "We still have deadlines to meet and goals to hit," said employee Jessica Mazzoni. "We'll float back and forth to our desk if we have to answer emails. But our clients are here. So sometimes those business conversations are happening in person, which is easier." March Madness is also being celebrated in the workplace at Shriners Children's Chicago, a hospital, clinic and rehab center that helps tens of thousands of children every year. "This is our second annual March Madness free throw shooting contest. It was something we started last year just to kind of celebrate the March Madness games on," said administrator Craig McGhee. Hospital staff compete to sink the most baskets in 30 seconds in the hospital's open atrium, while patients get to see another side of their caregivers. "It shows them not in their work setting," said patient Nellie Meinhardt. "So they're more free. You can see them in their real person."
