Christmas Exchange Card Campaign
This campaign which allowed businesses to make a donation on behalf of their clients and business associates who would than receive a Christmas card from us. This year over $4000 was raised through this campaign. We would like to thank everyone who participated as this helped feed many families in need during the 2010 Christmas season.
Pennies for Portions – November to December
The 16th annual Pennies for Portions saw five primary and elementary schools participate in the campaign in which students collected pennies and other loose change to donate to Christmas Exchange.The kick-off to the Pennies for Portions campaign was held at Sawmill Creek Elementary School. The total amount raised was over $7,000 this year. Our thanks go to all the students, staff and teachers of the participating schools for contributing to the campaign.
Running on Empties – December 11th
The collection of donated empty beer, wine and liquor bottles from customers at all Ottawa area Beer Stores was another great success raising over $14,000 for our food assistance program. Our thanks to all the Ottawa area Beer Stores and to all the volunteers and service clubs who helped with the collections of donated empty beer, wine and liquor bottles at each store.
Trees of Hope – November 20th to December 5th
Participating Giant Tiger Stores in Ottawa sold paper Trees of Hope for $2.00 each.and raised over $4000. Proceeds will help those in need during the holiday season.
Shopping & Sweets Fundraiser – December 4th
Shopping and Sweets, a fundraiser which was held for the first year, was very successful and over $1000 was raised for the Christmas Exchange. We would like to extend a special thanks to the organizers of the event, the sponsors and everyone who participated!
20th Annual Christmas Cheer Breakfast and 60th Annual Christmas Cheer Broadcast – December 3rd
The Christmas Cheer Foundation once again hosted a successful Breakfast at the Westin Hotel followed by the annual Christmas Cheer Broadcast on News Talk Radio 580 CFRA at the Rideau Centre. Both events were in support of the Ottawa Food Bank, The Ottawa Senator’s Foundation and Christmas Exchange. A total of $165,000 was raised!
10th Annual Ottawa’s Biggest Bake Sale – October 9th
The 10th Annual Ottawa’s Biggest Bake Sale was a great success! Over $7,000 was raised to help families in need and money was also raised by 13 various organizations including the Ottawa Mission and Breast Cancer Action Ottawa. The bake sale featured a variety of baked goods such as pumpkin pies, assorted cakes and tortes, a variety of festive cupcakes as well as cookies and fudge. There was a great turnout as 13 groups and 17 bakeries participated this year. Congratulations to Jeanine Hall who won a $500 gift certificate courtesy of Billings Bridge Shopping Centre.
A Best Tasting Pumpkin Pie Contest was held for the first time! We would like to extend a special thank you to our three judges; Gay Cook, Food Writer & Author, Judson Simpson, Executive Chef House of Commons and Jim Watson. The first place was awarded to the Buttercream Bakery, the second place to Centretown United Church and the third place to Liz Gibbs.
And a great big thank you goes out to our sponsors: TD Canada Trust as our presenting sponsor, Billings Bridge Shopping Centre as our venue sponsor, and EMC Ottawa South as our media sponsor. Without you all, we could not have had such a successful event!
Mother’s Day Brunch – May 9th
The First Annual Mother’s Day Brunch, in partnership with Lifetime Networks Ottawa (LNO) was held at the Ron Kolbus Centre May 9. The event, hosted by local celebrity restaurateur Dave Smith, raised close to $8,000 for both charities. The over 200 guests in attendance attended were served coffee by Mayoral Candidates Alex Cullen and Jim Watson; Ottawa City Councillor Shad Qadri; local Ottawa Celeb Max Keeping from CTV Ottawa; and Yasir Naqvi, MPP. A ticket auction and two 50/50 draws also added to the festivities, as did the Shriner’s Klowns and the kids’ activity room. We would like to thank both winners of the draws who donated the proceeds to Christmas Exchange and LNO. We would also like to thank everyone that participated and we are looking forward to holding this event again next year!
Gold Drives with Recycle Frog
Christmas Exchange partnered with Recycle Frog to hold three Gold Drive Fundraisers in January and February at the City of Ottawa offices at 100 Constellation and in December at W.B. George Centre and Pretty Village Community Centre. Participants brought in their unwanted and broken gold, silver and platinum jewellery to be evaluated which they could sell to Recycle Frog at the current market price. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale was donated to Christmas Exchange by the participant with a matching donation from Recycle Frog. Thanks to all the participants and Recycle Frog, both events generated a total donation of $1763 to Christmas Exchange for the Food Assistance Program.
