News Releases

Christmas Arrives Early in Ottawa – 3rd Annual Christmas in July In support of the Christmas Exchange

July 18, 2008

(Ottawa, ON)

Hundreds of hungry commuters joined in the fun of celebrating Christmas a little early this year at the 3rd Annual Christmas in July Breakfast BBQ held yesterday at the Fallowfield Transit Station.

Several VIPs, including, Pierre Poilievre MP (Nepean-Carleton), Mayor Larry O’Brien Councillors Jan Harder, Maria McRae and Steve Desroches; Former Mayor Jacqueline Holzman, Max Keeping from CTV News, Ottawa Citizen Publisher Jim Orban, plus Santa and his reindeer Rudolph were on hand to help serve breakfast and collect donations for Christmas Exchange.

Thanks to the generosity of all those in attendance, over $4,100 was raised, including a $1,000 matching donation made by Scotiabank (Woodroffe & Stoneway, Barrhaven). This money will be used to provide more than 50 families with a festive meal this coming December holiday season.

The Christmas Exchange would like to thank Enbridge, Mattamy Homes, Scotiabank (Woodroffe & Stoneway, Barrhaven), the Ottawa Citizen, Ross’ Your Independent Grocer, Starbucks Coffee (Woodroffe/Strandherd), and OC Transpo for making Christmas in July such a success:. Christmas Exchange provides food assistance to those in need during the December holiday season. In 2007 the Exchange provided direct food assistance to 23,793 people in 8,604 families, including 10,967 children and 1,883 seniors. The Exchange also coordinated assistance for an additional 3,528 families for food, and 11,305 children for toys.