Laura Canada is proud to support Kourtney, team leader of e-commerce at our distribution center. She entered a dragon boating competition to raise money for the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Sainte-Justine hospital. Alongside 19 other volunteers, Kourtney paddled for this great cause during the weekend of August 11th. Her team arrived in 3rd place and raised more than $1000!
Tell us about yourself. How did you arrive at Laura Canada and what does an e-commerce team leader do at Laura?
My name is Kourtney Davis and I joined the Laura family in 2015. When I started out, I was procurement clerk in the supply department. As e-commerce started to evolve, the warehouse felt the need for a leader to support the growing department. They asked me to fill in and now I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
What made you decide to get involved in the MCH fundraiser via the dragon boat race?
Originally, the idea was just to do something different with my friend Gen that would challenge us and break up our daily routine. When she mentioned dragon boating, I was intrigued. Then I learned that it was a fundraiser for the Montreal Children’s Hospital and that’s when it clicked for me. I didn’t just want to do it; I had to for two reasons: My sister is my main motivator. She has many handicaps and when she was growing up my mother and I were very often in and out of the Montreal Children’s Hospital for a variety of treatments, tests etc. They were always kind, patient and professional. Second, is my friend’s son Damien. Damien just turned 4 years old. Since birth, he has been at war with his own body battling a stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Due to the rarity of his case, many specialists (one of which is Ste-Justine’s Hospital) follow him. This is more than just a fundraiser for me. It’s a chance to pay them back.
Please tell us about your training. What does it entail? How many times a week do you train?
Our team of 20 volunteers have been training for the past 8 weeks. We train individually at home/gym on rowing machines during the week and every Tuesday we meet as a group and train on the water at the Pointe Claire Canoe Club in a real dragon boat. No matter what the elements, wave intensity, etc. we were pushing ourselves to the max in anticipation of the upcoming race.
How did you do your fundraising? What kind of activities have you done to fundraise?
As a group, we held a BBQ back in July to raise funds. Individually, the techniques vary. We have some paddlers on the team that baked cookies as a fundraiser. Personally, I have raised funds using a few different approaches; I’ve raised funds by offering pet photography sessions in exchange for donations as well as social media platforms. Although my most successful form of fundraising has been through my family here at Laura Canada.
How does it make you feel having your Laura family backing you up?
It has been amazing. Honestly, I didn’t expect such a positive response from everyone. Every day people come up to me to tell me a little story about why this fundraiser is important to them too, or just to give some words of encouragement. It has been a humbling experience and a fantastic motivator for me. In fact, I am inspired to continue to help my community. Next year I will be joining MudGirl, which is an obstacle course program that will helps raise money for breast cancer.
Why is volunteering important to you?
Mostly because I am a mom. I know that sounds weird but as a mom you always try to make sure you are raising a little human that is better than you are. There is no better way to teach your kid from a young age to pay it forward and to help others than doing it yourself.
