Dear customers and partners,
I am happy to announce that we have donated more than $115,000 to our partners over the past 12 months. This is one of the highest annual funding amounts in our history. I kind of feel like I'm repeating myself every December, but it's thanks to you that we're able to pull this off. Thank you dear partners, and thank you dear customers, for your loyalty and your enthusiasm for our off-the-beaten-path business model. The whole team is grateful for your unwavering support.
As you may know, we celebrated our 15th birthday this summer. I'm very proud of this milestone since it comes after two particularly turbulent years. There was a lot of stress, but also a lot of beautiful moments that reminded me why I've been doing this for a decade and a half. Now that the worst of the storm is behind us, or so I hope, our goal is to continue expanding our mission and keep selling affordable eyeglasses to even more people.
As Bonhomme enters adolescence, some other important milestones are being reached. Last February, we passed the $1 million mark in donations to community organizations. This mark was also highlighted at the Québec National Assembly in early February, an honour that also earned us an appearance on front page of The Montreal Gazette. We also reached another important milestone: 60 service points, which is a bit of a logistical challenge, but also gives an idea of how far we've come since our humble beginnings, when I was lugging my suitcases to the YMCA in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
I'd like to conclude by acknowledging the incredible work of our community organizations in these times of inflation, the ravages of which have been well-documented. By the nature of our business, we've witnessed first hand how some of our partners, already overwhelmed following the pandemic, with demands they already struggles to meet, continue to rise to the occasion every single day. If I have one wish for 2023, it is that collectively, we take full account of the impact and value community organizations have our society and that we support them with the necessary tools and budgets. As La Presse eloquently reminded us recently, without community organizations, we are screwed, and it is high time that we put our money where our mouth is and give additional tools to stakeholders who only wish to be able to help more.
From all of us here at Bonhomme à lunettes, we wish you Happy Holidays,
Philippe