Garnet Lasby is enthusiastic about the company he leads and its employees and their health.
“It is incredibly important that everybody supports the Brant Community Healthcare System,” Lasby said.
“It is absolutely critical that we have access to top-notch hospital care.”
Massilly is a leader in preserving food and reducing waste. The company manufactures metal packaging and twist caps for food jars.
“We are a privately owned company with facilities around the world, including here in Brantford, where we employ about 160 very high-skilled people,” Lasby said.
Massilly originated in France and has 25 facilities throughout the world.
“We are a multi-national company with the reputation of providing service and responsiveness that a small family business can provide,” Lasby said.
“As a fourth-generation family company, we are very involved in the communities.”
This holiday season – for the third consecutive year – Massilly is making a significant commitment toward the Brantford General Hospital’s emergency department expansion project.
“We are making a $100,000 matching donation, which means for every dollar people throughout our community give to the Hope for Healthcare Campaign we will match,” Lasby said.
“The past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the importance of our hospitals,” he said. “The physicians, nurses, everyone are our heroes. Can you imagine being in their shoes?”
The emergency department cares for almost 60,000 patients a year – more than 160 patients each day.
Kari Wilson, executive director of the BCHS Foundation, which is leading the campaign to raise funds for the expansion, said the community must raise $8 million toward the project.
“The Ministry of Health does not totally fund hospital redevelopment projects,” she said.
“So. it is extremely important that the residents, service organizations and companies throughout Brantford and Brant County help us. We have raised $5 million to date.”
The department’s expansion includes upgrading facilities and putting the best resources and medical tools in the hands of the emergency physicians and staff.
“The hospital is the lifeline of the community, a symbol of hope and caring for everyone,” Wilson said.
This year’s donation by Massilly brings the total to $250,000 in the past three years.
Lasby said Massilly is successful in large part because of its employees. The way he sees it, investing in the community’s health care makes sense.
“I am asking everyone to please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation and donate however much you can, large or small,” he said.
“The redeveloped emergency department is vital for our community. The link is www.bchsdonate.com”
Originally appeared in the Brantford Expositor, December 7 2022. Hospital Insider is written by Gary Chalk, who assists with communication for the Brant Community Healthcare System.