Harvest of Hope 2016

The Caldwell Family Centre (CFC) held their fourth Annual Harvest of Hope Dinner and Auction on Monday, October 3, 2016 at the Chances R restaurant in College Square, Woodroffe Avenue.

It was another successful fundraising event for the CFC, held for the second time in a beautifully decorated Chances R restaurant. The evening began with friendly volunteers from the Ottawa Police Service Auxiliary Unit greeting arriving guests and guiding them into the covered patio, where the silent auction items were on display. Guests were spoiled for choice as they browsed over 80 items on offer, including restaurant gift certificates, work by local artisans, house cleaning and garden services, beauty and spa packages, and yoga and fitness memberships, all donated by Ottawa businesses and residents. Bid sheets filled up quickly and then it was time for dinner. The friendly and attentive staff from Chances R ushered guests indoors and served up a wonderful fall feast. And the famous apple crumble was back!

Emcee for the evening was well-known local blues singer and educator Maria Hawkins. Maria’s warm smile and beautiful voice filled the room as she talked, sang and mingled among dinner guests throughout the event. Guest of honour, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said a few words to kick off the dinner. He gave a nod to several city councillors present, including Riley Brockington, councillor for River Ward, who also addressed the crowd. Also spotted enjoying dinner were current and former members of parliament Anita Vandenbeld and Marlene Caterall and Commissioner Paul Robson with his wife Erin O’Gorman.

Councillor Brockington warmly thanked the supporters of the CFC and reminded everyone just how appreciative the Caldwell community is to have the CFC in its midst.  It is important in so many ways to so many people.

Anita Vandenbeld also addressed the gathering by thanking everyone for coming, as the money raised will make a difference to the clients at CFC.

Yolaine Münter, chair of the board, then addressed the dinner guests, graciously thanking volunteers, board members and local elected officials for their ongoing support, and Chances R for hosting the event.   She talked about the origins of the CFC, noting that the need for funds and programs is as great as ever.  Programs such as English language classes, child-minding services as well as the CFC food bank continue to expand and will benefit from the funds raised from the Harvest of Hope event.  Yolaine then introduced Marilyn Matheson, the new executive director of the CFC, who joined the organization in July of this year.

Marilyn Matheson talked enthusiastically about her new challenges as director of the CFC.  From previous experiences in her career, she knows first-hand how programs such as those run by the CFC can make a difference to all kinds of people, all kinds of families.

Following the speeches, a delighted and well-fed crowd was treated to the evening’s cabaret — a can-can dance performed enthusiastically (and almost professionally!) by Kevin Williams, Ottawa Police officer and CFC board member, and four female colleagues.

The live auction began around 8.15.  Auctioneer Shawn Spooner kept guests on their toes with his impressive rapid-fire style of bidding on items ranging from a suite at the Canadian Tire centre for an Ottawa Senators game, to a beautiful Italian gift basket to lunch with playwright Gord Carruth.  The most popular item of the evening was a barbeque for 10 people hosted by Ottawa Firefighters, which raised over $1200.

This was another successful and enjoyable evening for supporters of the Caldwell Family Centre.  All proceeds will go to support a range of programs that the CFC offers for children, youth, families and seniors in its community, and to the emergency food program, one of the busiest food banks in the city, which helps to feed 1700 people each month.

by Claire Callender

Thanks to Our 2016 Major Sponsors

Thanks to our donors:

Adishesha Yoga (4th Ave), Advantage Flooring, Algonquin College, Ancestry.ca, Balloon It, Beds for Tails Kennels, Best Western Ottawa City Centre, Betty Leicht, Bridgehead Coffee, Caldwell Bazaar Committee, Carlington Community Health Centre, Chances R, Dairy Queen (Walkley Rd), Dan Nolan IPC Securities Corp, D’Arcy McGee Pub, David Dickens, Dine Casa, Eddie May Mysteries, Elwood Enns, Escape Manor, Farm Boy, Farmers Pick, Friend of Caldwell, Funhaven, Gay Cook & Grete Hale, Gord Carruth, Great Canadian Bungee, Green Thumb. Haunted Walks, House of Lasagna, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises & Trolley, Kitchenalia, Ladies Auxilliary St Elizabeth Church, Le Brun Garage, Little Rays Reptiles, Molly Maid, Monique Frechette, My Wedding Fairy, National Arts Centre, Orange Theory Fitness, Orpheus, Ottawa Police Association, Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association, Pampered Pet, Panera Bread, Pizza Pizza, Precision Styling/Paradiso Spa, Pure Yoga (Richmond Rd), Raymond Lafond, Richmond Road Beauty Salon, Ron Elmer, Saunders Farm, Shoppers Drug Mart (Westgate), Tavola, Terry Charette, That Butcher Shop, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Three Wild Women, Tivoli, Top of the Hill Bakery, Travac Tours, Urban Element, Via Rail, Vorlage, Wild Birds Unlimited