Your Impact ❤️ Success Stories

We have a generous giving community here in the Ottawa area. These are the stories of how you have helped children and youth with education, life enrichment and youth transition. Read on!

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Dream Launcher Community Impact 2023 in Review

Infographic containing data for Children's Aid Foundation of Ottawa 2023 Dream Launcher Community Impact Report

2023 Impact Report + Dream Launcher Newsletter

Dream Launcher Newsletter Noember 2023

🌟🚀

January 25, 2025 –

💗 🚀 We are immensely grateful for our incredible Dream Launcher Community, who made a huge difference to vulnerable Ottawa kids in 2023! In this Impact Report + Newsletter, you’ll see how you’ve helped to reliably fund programs for education, life enrichment and youth transitioning out of child welfare. You truly brightened the lives of children, youth and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa last year. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.💗

👉 READ THE IMPACT REPORT

City News Article

“Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa helping youth transition out of foster care into independence”

Social worker shaking hands with young boy. Cyclopes Photographie

By David DeRocco, City News

“For a youth engaged in the child welfare system, support from organizations like The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) is critical whether that child is being fostered or being cared for by a family member who has stepped up to help. Up until recently, however, children approaching the age of 18 had to deal with the fact they were about to age out of vital programs and funding previously provided by the CASO.

Aging out of care at 18 remains a relevant and present problem if proper support programs are not in place prior to a youth hitting legal age and beyond. The reality of facing such an uncertain future often adds another level of anxiety for children already trying to overcome past trauma.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON CITY NEWS

Rogers TV | City News

The Eloquent, Andrea Young, inspires in her interview with Sam Laprade on ‘An Hour to Give’

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade featuring guest Andrea Young, Dare to Dream Bursary recipient

📺

January 13, 2024 –

Your donations make a significant impact to the lives of our Ottawa youth who are helped to transition out of child welfare to a purposeful life. Andrea Young, our Youth Ambassador, is a Dare to Dream Bursary recipient and a Criminal Justice graduate from Nippissing Univ, now working as a assistant branch manager for RBC. She spoke about how, from 2011 onwards, CAFO’s donors supported her to continue to play soccer while growing up.

Andrea has a compelling message for youth aging out of foster care and the child welfare system. She tells her story of how community, as well as adversity, made her stronger and even more determined to build a beautiful life for herself.

Kelly Raymond, Executive Director, CAS Ottawa, is also featured along with Erin Kennedy, Supervisor, Child & Youth Care Services Youth Resources Facilitator, CASO and Walter Noble.

Rogers TV and City News broadcasted this feature on “An Hour to Give, with Sam Laprade” on: Rogers tv and Country 101.1.

Roll The Credits! 

Lancez les crédits !

Mother, father and daughter family unit watches toddler unwrap Christmas present

🎄🎁

December 20, 2023 – (le français suit)

Holiday Gift Program ‘Wraps Up’

A huge THANK YOU to the individuals, families and organizations who made the Holiday Gift Program a tremendous success this year.

 The toy drives, family sponsorships, grocery cards and monetary donations will brighten the lives of our Ottawa kids this holiday season. Thank you for your generosity.

Le programme de cadeaux des Fêtes c’est fini pour la saison

Un immense MERCI aux individus, aux familles et aux organismes qui ont fait du Programme de cadeaux des Fêtes un immense succès cette année.

Les collectes de jouets, les parrainages familiaux, les cartes d’épicerie et les dons monétaires égayeront la vie de nos enfants d’Ottawa pendant cette période des fêtes. Merci de ta générosité.

🎬 🎥 WATCH HERE

Dream Launcher Newsletter

Dream Launcher Newsletter Noember 2023

🌟🚀

November 22, 2023 –

In this newsletter, we share the impact that your ongoing gift has made on the children, youth and families involved with child welfare. We feature stories and messages that come directly from our youth ambassadors as well as a message from an incredible front-line child protection worker.

👉 READ THE NEWSLETTER

Ottawa Business Journal 

“World Trivia Night raises $132K for Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa,”  Caroline Phillips, OBJ

OBJ Article World Trivia Night

🚀

October 30, 2023 – Caroline Phillips, Ottawa Business Journal

“From brainiacs to beer drinkers, the annual World Trivia Night saw all types of folks exercise their intellectual muscles Friday night while helping to make sure all kids have the same shot at a brighter future.”

READ THE ARTICLE

You did it again, Ottawa!

You’ve raised $132,000 for our Ottawa kids and many dreams will be launched because of you!

Journee Tells Her Story of Aging out of Foster Care

🌟

November 1, 2023 –

Congratulations go to the First-Place Trivia Team, Schrodinger’s Cat Again and Top Fundraising Team, Riverside Pub.

In its 29th year, this event was a tremendous success, raising funds to support CAFO’s programs. The new ‘fun-factor’ was the guest appearance by Chris and Sandra, with KiSS 105.3, who brought tremendous energy to the room.

Walter Noble, Executive Director, honoured three of our 25-Year Dream Launchers, who have all continuously supported the well-being of children, youth and families involved with child welfare.

  1. Marianne Abou-Hamad accepted for Emond Harnden, our Corporate Dream Launcher Sponsor
  2. Paul Paquet, Trivia Master and Supporter
  3. Phil Pihlainen, Emcee and Supporter

After a nail-biting, tie-breaker, the Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy went to the first place team: ‘Shrodinger’s Cat Again’.

🏅Top 3 Trivia Teams:🏅 1. Shrodinger’s Cat Again     2. Nerd Alert    3. La Triviata

⭐️ Top 3 Fundraising Teams: ⭐️    1. Riverside Pub ($6,283)    2. We Could Be Worse ($5,840)     3. Wirecrats ($3,065)

More information about team standings can be found here.

Want more information? Caroline Phillips, Ottawa Business Journal, does an excellent job of covering the entire event in her article:

“From brainiacs to beer drinkers, the annual World Trivia Night saw all types of folks exercise their intellectual muscles Friday night while helping to make sure all kids have the same shot at a brighter future.”  READ THE ARTICLE

Dream Launcher Sponsors for World Trivia Night 2023

Journee’s Story:

Successfully Aging out of Foster Care to Independence

Journee Tells Her Story of Aging out of Foster Care

🚀

October, 2023 – Youtube Video

Journee courageously shares her life story and touches on the pillars that were necessary to help her to succeed:
– The importance of being placed in a loving kin family, including her brother, when she couldn’t remain with her birth mother.
– How her Child Protection Worker (CASO) helped her through the challenge of aging out of care and into independence to a productive and meaningful life.
– The Youth Works Program provides the supports, like learning how to budget and how to find a job, to help youth transition to a brighter life.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Alanna Sterling, Dare to Dream Graduate:

“Give foster kids a second chance at building a better future!”

Alanna Sterling

October 23, 2023 – Youtube Video

Alanna Sterling, Youth Ambassador, Musician and Dare to Dream Graduate with an Honour’s Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Neuroscience, encourages everyone to join World Trivia Night and help Our Ottawa Kids.

WATCH THE VIDEO

$31,000 (fundraised) for Our Ottawa Kids by the Ever-generous Business Community!
Alexander Driscoll, Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient

☀️

September 13, 2023 –

⛳️ It was heartwarming to see everyone play golf yesterday to raise $31,000 for our Ottawa kids! We couldn’t have done it without our stellar partner, BDC including: Kunle Tauhid (who kept the sun shining for us! 😎), Laura-Lee Brennerman and the fabulous BDC Volunteer Team. Our #CorporateDreamLaunchersINSA Corporation, have partnered with us for several years to improve the well-being of children, youth and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.

Congratulations go to the Winning Foursome: Walker ClimateCare!

Thanks to our partners, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who golfed with us to make this year’s BDC | CAFO Charity Golf Tournament a success!

Camp For Kids
130 kids are going to camp this summer!
Alexander Driscoll, Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient

June 27, 2023 –

☀️⛺️  Summer Camp is now a possibility for 130 care-involved kids! You, our incredible Dream Launchers, are giving children and youth their FIRST-EVER camp experience. They will attend day camps, sleep-away, equestrian, special needs and family camps. THANK YOU Ottawa Dream Launchers for brightening the lives of care-involved children and youth. ⛺️☀️

Alexander Driscoll, Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient

May 23, 2023 – “For kids leaving the foster care system, finding their footing can be a challenge. It’s why the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa and the Children’s…”

Charlie Senack, Editor, Kitchissippi Times

READ THE ARTICLE

OBJ Logo

The Sam Laprade Show
Radio Interview: Kurt Brown, Youth Ambassador
Alexander Driscoll, Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient

May 23, 2023 – “See the good intentions behind the people who are trying to help you and take their hand.” Kurt Brown, Graduate, Film & Television, Toronto Film School. This is the advice Dare to Dream Bursary recipient, Kurt Brown gives to youth who are aging out of  foster care. Sam Laprade, Host of The Sam Laprade Show, City News, 101.1FM spoke with Kurt about his experience aging out of the child welfare system.

LISTEN HERE

OBJ Logo

Salut! 2023
Thank You Dream Launchers! 42 Youth Will Attend College/University This Fall
Salut! 2023 Youtube Video

May 17th, 2023 – Ottawa Dream Launchers raised $74,876 for the Dare to Dream Postsecondary Education Bursary, which will send youth, who have aged out of foster care, to college/university this fall.

What an incredible group of people who came together and put the word ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising’!

See for yourself in this recording:

Youtube Recording of Salut!

Salut! Logo

Boston Pizza Staff Raise $3,810 During #HeartShapedPizza Day
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

February 14th ❤️ – The team at Boston Pizza Barrhaven kindly donated $1 from each #HeartShapedPizza sold on Valentine’s Day and fundraised throughout the month of February to help the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa support vulnerable children, youth and families. They raised $3,810.00! Thanks to this incredible team! http://bostonpizza.com

CTV News Logo

Bell Let’s Talk:  Gives $20,000 Grant to Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

January 25, 2023 – Did you know? CAS Ottawa provides mental health support to youth dealing with past trauma. Their success rate skyrockets when provided alongside our youth transition, education and work programs! We couldn’t do this without you, our Dream Launcher giving community, and those who contribute to #BellLet‘sTalk. In October, we were the grateful recipients of a $20,000 grant to keep these programs going. Thank you for supporting this fantastic initiative! www.dreamlauncher.ca

Zybina Richards and Harley Bloom of Kiwanis Club present $5,000 cheque to CAF Ottawa.
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

January 11, 2023 – The  Kiwanis Club of Eastern Ottawa kindly donated $5,000 to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. They want this gift to go towards supporting World Trivia Night 2023. We have a special connection with the Kiwanis Club of Eastern Ontario, as they originally created the World Trivia Night fundraiser over 20 years ago and then turned it over to CAF Ottawa to steward. They want WTN 2023 to continue to gather people together to play trivia with a purpose.

Donor, Jessica, shares how she rallied her community this year to support the Holiday Gift Program
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

January 3, 2022 – Jessica (Donor) and Gifty (The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa) were featured on CTV Morning Live to share their stories of our community helps over 1000 children during the holidays. The Holiday Gift Program gift program provides toys and gifts year-round, as we serve families of all faiths and cultures, no matter when they celebrate their holiday. Please take a moment to see the video!

Watch Video
CTV News Logo

Scotia Wealth Management presents $6,000 cheque to CAF Ottawa
Check presentation Scotia Wealth Management to Children's Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Dec. 28, 2022 – We truly appreciate the generosity of everyone at , who kindly donated $6,000 in support of vulnerable children and youth involved with child welfare. This will help the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa to provide much needed programs for education, life enrichment and youth transition out of foster care.

Scotia Wealth Management logo

Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive
Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive delivery at CAS Ottawa

Dec. 22, 2022 – Huge thanks to the amazing team at Enterprise Holdings, who are spreading joy this holiday season with their Holiday Gift Program toy drive! Gift recipients tell us that when they receive their toy, they know someone is thinking of them. They feel it! You are truly making a difference when you donate.

Enterprise Holdings Logo

450 Teddy Bears delivered to the Holiday Gift Program
450 Teddy Bears donated to the Holiday Gift Program 2022

Dec. 21, 2022 – Over 450 teddy bears will soon bring smiles to children in our community! These lovely teddies were donated to the Holiday Gift Program, which brings joy to over 1,000 children during their cultural holidays throughout the year. Thank you to our generous donors for including The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa in your community outreach this holiday season!

Corporate Traveller Toy Drive
Corporate Traveller team shown with toys donated for toy drive for Holiday Gift Program

Dec. 5, 2022 – The smiles say it all! Huge thanks to Michael Beaucage, Director, CAFO Board, and the team at Corporate Traveller Canada for holding a toy drive in support of the Holiday Gift Program. These generous gifts will brighten the lives of children involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa this holiday season. Our hearts are full of gratitude, as the need is greater than ever and we know it’s a tough year for giving.

Corporate Traveller logo

Over 200 mittens, toques and scarves donated!
Walter Noble receiving over 200 knitted items for children in need this holiday season

Dec. 1, 2022 – What is Walter wearing?… The Ottawa Chapter of Preceptor Epsilon Eta of Beta Sigma Phi have been busy knitting cozy winter toques, mittens and scarves for children involved with child welfare. They donated 200 of these items on #GivingTuesday! Thank you for helping keep children warm and comfortable this coming winter.

Gerry Doyle donates $25,000 on #GivingTuesday
Portrait Gerry Doyle

Nov. 29, 2022 – We are full of gratitude on this #GivingTuesday. THANK YOU, Gerry Doyle for your incredibly generous Dream Launcher 🚀 donation of $25,000. Your gift is helping children and youth reach for the stars by providing bursaries, tutoring, camp experiences, mental health counseling, and assisting young people to transition successfully out of foster care and into independent living. Gerry’s a passionate supporter of helping kids involved with child welfare, as he served on the CAFO board for 14 years, including Board Chair.

IG Wealth Management Doyle Group logo

Canada’s Largest Trivia Contest – Fun with Purpose!

Nov. 18, 2022 – Canada’s Largest Live Trivia Contest brought over 800 people together to participate in the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa World Trivia Night. A wonderful experience for all, while raising funds and awareness for children, youth and families involved with child welfare. We especially appreciate our Youth Ambassador and performer, Alana Sterling, for joining us to share their story with our community. Thank you to our all of our partners and to our key sponsors: MNP + Emond Harnden + Enterprise Holdings Inc

Learn More

$97,000 Raised at World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 18, 2022 – What a night! Over 800 trivia goers joined us for World Trivia Night and raised over $97,000 for children and youth involved with child welfare. What an amazing achievement! Congratulations go to the first-place team, ‘Shrodinger’s Cat Again’ winners of the Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy + Ottawa Senators Game/Alumni Suite + “The Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults,” Paul Paquet.

Learn More

Bell Let’s Talk supports Mental Health Programs for Children & Youth
Check presentation photo Bell Lets Talk

October 31, 2022 – The need for mental health support for kids has grown exponentially. We are incredibly grateful to Bell Let’s Talk for providing $20,000 to fund one-on-one mental health counseling in partnership with Family Services Ottawa. This will directly support children and youth, involved with CAS Ottawa, who suffer from trauma.

Optiv “harnesses collective passion” to make lasting change at corporate team-building event

Nov. 2, 2022 – Game on! The folks at Optiv, a local and global tech firm, had a blast building and racing remote control cars during their team-building event. They kindly gifted the cars to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa, to distribute to children involved with child welfare. They chose our foundation because we’re a small, nimble, impactful organization. They can trust us to ensure their gifts get into the right hands. And you can too! Consider using your next team-building event to help your Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. It’s fun with purpose!

In their own words, Optive Chips In supports underserved populations through industry investments, community projects and mobilizing our employees to do good, harnessing our collective passions to make lasting change.”

Thank you, Optiv! You have brightened the lives of kids in your community.

Q: Who is Paul Paquet?
Photo of Trivia Master Paul Paquet

A: The Trivia Grand Master for World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 1, 2022 – For more than 20 years, Paquet has run the local pub trivia circuit called the Ottawa Trivia League and curates the Trivia Hall of Fame. Paul has provided questions for, and acted as chief judge for, North America’s largest annual trivia event, World Trivia Night, which has raised more than $50,000 a year for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. He does this pro bono.

Whether writing custom questions or mining a database of 100,000+ questions, Paul Paquet has written more than 125,000 trivia questions! He is the author of the Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults, newspaper column, Trivia Bits, trivia column for Reader’s Digest, provided content for Who Wants to be a Millionaire UK merchandising and the online version of 1v100 on nbc.com.

World Trivia Night Ottawa Logo
Learn More

Canada Post Community Foundation presents cheque to CAF Ottawa
Canada Post Community Foundation check presentation

October 27, 2022 – A heartfelt thank you, Canada Post / Postes Canada!! We are grateful for your continued support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. We are among 101 community organizations across the country, who received a grant from the Canada Post 2022 Community Foundation. The funds will help support students aged 14-18 who are currently involved with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.

Each October, Canada Post employees help to raise funds to support charitable efforts through the Community Foundation. In 2022, the Foundation granted $1.3 million to support 101 community organizations across Canada. Funds are raised through an annual in-store campaign, sales of a special fundraising stamp and employee support – and every penny raised in a province stays in that province. Visit a post office near you this month to find out what our employees are doing to help support these efforts!

Canada Post Logo

Cardel Homes donates $5,000 to Holiday Gift Program
Cardel Homes check presentation

October 26, 2022 – Thank you, Cardel Homes!! We are so fortunate to have your continued support. Your $5,000.00 donation to the Holiday Gift Program will make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families involved with child welfare. This program is run by CAS Ottawa employees and helps families in need find joy over the holidays. A heartfelt thank you to all Ottawa Cardel Homes employees, Tanya Buckley, SVP and Paul Blinn, VP Operations, Cardel Homes, and our own CAS Youth Ambassador, Alex Driscoll and Mitra Zouhmand, Youth Resources Facilitator, CAS Ottawa.

Cardel Homes Logo

In their own words: Youth Ambassadors share their stories of the challenges of growing up in foster care and how they succeeded in transitioning successfully to young adulthood.
Sam Leprade, An Hour To Give graphic

October 25, 2022 – Two incredible youth ambassadors generously shared their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how education became one of the key factors in their success. Please take a moment to listen to these resilient youth and the people who helped them along the way: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

Thank you, Sam Laprade and City News 101.1, for shining a light on the importance of donations to The Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Your donations support Ottawa children and youth involved with CAS Ottawa through education, life enrichment and youth transition programs.
Listen Here
City News logo

$34,767 Raised by CAS Ottawa in “30k My Way” Relay Race

October, 14th, 2022 – Exciting times! The intrepid staff at CAS Ottawa raised $34,767 or kids involved in Child Welfare. The “30K Any Way Relay Race” was held on a beautiful day in October (the previous year it rained cats and dogs!), so with a sigh of relief, participants gathered along the Ottawa River Parkway to race on their own terms. Walk, Run, Cycle – rollerblade – do it any way, your way!

This is the 3rd annual event that these amazing folks have run for their kids. The funds raised will support the children, youth and families involved with the CAS Ottawa, through programs focused on education, life enrichment and youth transition.

Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund: a message from Walter Noble, CAF Ottawa
Photo of check presentation Shanley Shines Sunnyside Campground

It’s simple. Kids need to play. Matthew Shanley knew this. He was a camper at Sunnyside Campground and worked for the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO). Matthew knew that kids must get outside, run around, play ball, sleep in a tent, roast marshmallows… but many of our Ottawa kids don’t get this opportunity.

This summer, Sunnyside staff and their campers raised an incredible $7,474.50 for Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund. This will help brighten the lives of children and youth through enriching summer camp experiences, sports and recreational activities. This, in turn, strengthens their family bonds and gives them a better chance at developing important life skills. And they get to be kids again. It really is that simple.

For the past 16 summers, Sunnyside has used fun activities for campers, such as 50-50 draws, and they organize a huge live auction at their campground to fundraise. These efforts originated with the Shanley Family in memory of Matthew Shanley. The Shanley’s were long-time campers for over 30 years at Sunnyside, Westport, Ontario. Thank you everyone at Sunnyside for being valuable partners in helping ensure kids in child welfare have the same opportunities as others!

Sincerely,

Walter Noble, Executive Director
Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Thank you for Golfing for Ottawa Kids & Youth!
Photo of Walter Noble, Russ Doucet at CAF Ottawa Annual Golf Tournament

Ian Mendes, Walter Noble, Kunle Tauhid, and Russ Doucet. (L to R)

Sept. 21, 2022 – What a great day! It was wonderful to see you in person at the Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held at The Canadian Golf & Country Clube, in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Because of your generous support, over $28,000 was raised to help brighten the lives of children, youth, and families involved with child welfare.

Two of our incredible Youth Ambassadors took time at the event to share their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how they’ve managed to overcome their traumas to become successful. Listen to their stories here: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

We are grateful to Russ Doucet and the team at INSA, our Presenting Partners, for sponsoring our Annual Golf Tournament raising funds for Ottawa Children and Youth.

Congratulations!!

A huge congratulations goes out to the BDC foursome, Mike Blattman, Robert Shaw, Craig Bowditch & Rob Mills, as the winners of the 31st Annual Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa’s Golf Tournament. (With a close second from the Kelly Santini foursome.)

Honourable mentions:

The “Honest Golfers” award, with a score of 76, went to the National Bank team Brian B., Andrew B., Norman U. and Mike B.

And Shelley Rouble, who won the 50/50 draw and kindly donated a portion of her winnings back to the foundation. Not to mention that we truly appreciated her masterful coordination of the BDC volunteers! Big thank you and shout out to all our fabulous BDC volunteers. You made this an exceptional day for all our golfers and helped raise funds for our Ottawa Children and Youth.

Donor, Jessica, shares how she rallied her community this year to support the Holiday Gift Program
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

January 3, 2022 – Jessica (Donor) and Gifty (The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa) were featured on CTV Morning Live to share their stories of our community helps over 1000 children during the holidays. The Holiday Gift Program gift program provides toys and gifts year-round, as we serve families of all faiths and cultures, no matter when they celebrate their holiday. Please take a moment to see the video!

Watch Video
CTV News Logo

Scotia Wealth Management presents $6,000 cheque to CAF Ottawa
Check presentation Scotia Wealth Management to Children's Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Dec. 28, 2022 – We truly appreciate the generosity of everyone at , who kindly donated $6,000 in support of vulnerable children and youth involved with child welfare. This will help the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa to provide much needed programs for education, life enrichment and youth transition out of foster care.

Scotia Wealth Management logo

Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive
Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive delivery at CAS Ottawa

Dec. 22, 2022 – Huge thanks to the amazing team at Enterprise Holdings, who are spreading joy this holiday season with their Holiday Gift Program toy drive! Gift recipients tell us that when they receive their toy, they know someone is thinking of them. They feel it! You are truly making a difference when you donate.

Enterprise Holdings Logo

450 Teddy Bears delivered to the Holiday Gift Program
450 Teddy Bears donated to the Holiday Gift Program 2022

Dec. 21, 2022 – Over 450 teddy bears will soon bring smiles to children in our community! These lovely teddies were donated to the Holiday Gift Program, which brings joy to over 1,000 children during their cultural holidays throughout the year. Thank you to our generous donors for including The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa in your community outreach this holiday season!

Corporate Traveller Toy Drive
Corporate Traveller team shown with toys donated for toy drive for Holiday Gift Program

Dec. 5, 2022 – The smiles say it all! Huge thanks to Michael Beaucage, Director, CAFO Board, and the team at Corporate Traveller Canada for holding a toy drive in support of the Holiday Gift Program. These generous gifts will brighten the lives of children involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa this holiday season. Our hearts are full of gratitude, as the need is greater than ever and we know it’s a tough year for giving.

Corporate Traveller logo

Over 200 mittens, toques and scarves donated!
Walter Noble receiving over 200 knitted items for children in need this holiday season

Dec. 1, 2022 – What is Walter wearing?… The Ottawa Chapter of Preceptor Epsilon Eta of Beta Sigma Phi have been busy knitting cozy winter toques, mittens and scarves for children involved with child welfare. They donated 200 of these items on #GivingTuesday! Thank you for helping keep children warm and comfortable this coming winter.

Gerry Doyle donates $25,000 on #GivingTuesday
Portrait Gerry Doyle

Nov. 29, 2022 – We are full of gratitude on this #GivingTuesday. THANK YOU, Gerry Doyle for your incredibly generous Dream Launcher 🚀 donation of $25,000. Your gift is helping children and youth reach for the stars by providing bursaries, tutoring, camp experiences, mental health counseling, and assisting young people to transition successfully out of foster care and into independent living. Gerry’s a passionate supporter of helping kids involved with child welfare, as he served on the CAFO board for 14 years, including Board Chair.

IG Wealth Management Doyle Group logo

Canada’s Largest Trivia Contest – Fun with Purpose!

Nov. 18, 2022 – Canada’s Largest Live Trivia Contest brought over 800 people together to participate in the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa World Trivia Night. A wonderful experience for all, while raising funds and awareness for children, youth and families involved with child welfare. We especially appreciate our Youth Ambassador and performer, Alana Sterling, for joining us to share their story with our community. Thank you to our all of our partners and to our key sponsors: MNP + Emond Harnden + Enterprise Holdings Inc

Learn More

$97,000 Raised at World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 18, 2022 – What a night! Over 800 trivia goers joined us for World Trivia Night and raised over $97,000 for children and youth involved with child welfare. What an amazing achievement! Congratulations go to the first-place team, ‘Shrodinger’s Cat Again’ winners of the Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy + Ottawa Senators Game/Alumni Suite + “The Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults,” Paul Paquet.

Learn More

Bell Let’s Talk supports Mental Health Programs for Children & Youth
Check presentation photo Bell Lets Talk

October 31, 2022 – The need for mental health support for kids has grown exponentially. We are incredibly grateful to Bell Let’s Talk for providing $20,000 to fund one-on-one mental health counseling in partnership with Family Services Ottawa. This will directly support children and youth, involved with CAS Ottawa, who suffer from trauma.

Optiv “harnesses collective passion” to make lasting change at corporate team-building event

Nov. 2, 2022 – Game on! The folks at Optiv, a local and global tech firm, had a blast building and racing remote control cars during their team-building event. They kindly gifted the cars to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa, to distribute to children involved with child welfare. They chose our foundation because we’re a small, nimble, impactful organization. They can trust us to ensure their gifts get into the right hands. And you can too! Consider using your next team-building event to help your Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. It’s fun with purpose!

In their own words, Optive Chips In supports underserved populations through industry investments, community projects and mobilizing our employees to do good, harnessing our collective passions to make lasting change.”

Thank you, Optiv! You have brightened the lives of kids in your community.

Q: Who is Paul Paquet?
Photo of Trivia Master Paul Paquet

A: The Trivia Grand Master for World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 1, 2022 – For more than 20 years, Paquet has run the local pub trivia circuit called the Ottawa Trivia League and curates the Trivia Hall of Fame. Paul has provided questions for, and acted as chief judge for, North America’s largest annual trivia event, World Trivia Night, which has raised more than $50,000 a year for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. He does this pro bono.

Whether writing custom questions or mining a database of 100,000+ questions, Paul Paquet has written more than 125,000 trivia questions! He is the author of the Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults, newspaper column, Trivia Bits, trivia column for Reader’s Digest, provided content for Who Wants to be a Millionaire UK merchandising and the online version of 1v100 on nbc.com.

World Trivia Night Ottawa Logo
Learn More

Canada Post Community Foundation presents cheque to CAF Ottawa
Canada Post Community Foundation check presentation

October 27, 2022 – A heartfelt thank you, Canada Post / Postes Canada!! We are grateful for your continued support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. We are among 101 community organizations across the country, who received a grant from the Canada Post 2022 Community Foundation. The funds will help support students aged 14-18 who are currently involved with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.

Each October, Canada Post employees help to raise funds to support charitable efforts through the Community Foundation. In 2022, the Foundation granted $1.3 million to support 101 community organizations across Canada. Funds are raised through an annual in-store campaign, sales of a special fundraising stamp and employee support – and every penny raised in a province stays in that province. Visit a post office near you this month to find out what our employees are doing to help support these efforts!

Canada Post Logo

Cardel Homes donates $5,000 to Holiday Gift Program
Cardel Homes check presentation

October 26, 2022 – Thank you, Cardel Homes!! We are so fortunate to have your continued support. Your $5,000.00 donation to the Holiday Gift Program will make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families involved with child welfare. This program is run by CAS Ottawa employees and helps families in need find joy over the holidays. A heartfelt thank you to all Ottawa Cardel Homes employees, Tanya Buckley, SVP and Paul Blinn, VP Operations, Cardel Homes, and our own CAS Youth Ambassador, Alex Driscoll and Mitra Zouhmand, Youth Resources Facilitator, CAS Ottawa.

Cardel Homes Logo

In their own words: Youth Ambassadors share their stories of the challenges of growing up in foster care and how they succeeded in transitioning successfully to young adulthood.
Sam Leprade, An Hour To Give graphic

October 25, 2022 – Two incredible youth ambassadors generously shared their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how education became one of the key factors in their success. Please take a moment to listen to these resilient youth and the people who helped them along the way: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

Thank you, Sam Laprade and City News 101.1, for shining a light on the importance of donations to The Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Your donations support Ottawa children and youth involved with CAS Ottawa through education, life enrichment and youth transition programs.
Listen Here
City News logo

$34,767 Raised by CAS Ottawa in “30k My Way” Relay Race

October, 14th, 2022 – Exciting times! The intrepid staff at CAS Ottawa raised $34,767 or kids involved in Child Welfare. The “30K Any Way Relay Race” was held on a beautiful day in October (the previous year it rained cats and dogs!), so with a sigh of relief, participants gathered along the Ottawa River Parkway to race on their own terms. Walk, Run, Cycle – rollerblade – do it any way, your way!

This is the 3rd annual event that these amazing folks have run for their kids. The funds raised will support the children, youth and families involved with the CAS Ottawa, through programs focused on education, life enrichment and youth transition.

Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund: a message from Walter Noble, CAF Ottawa
Photo of check presentation Shanley Shines Sunnyside Campground

It’s simple. Kids need to play. Matthew Shanley knew this. He was a camper at Sunnyside Campground and worked for the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO). Matthew knew that kids must get outside, run around, play ball, sleep in a tent, roast marshmallows… but many of our Ottawa kids don’t get this opportunity.

This summer, Sunnyside staff and their campers raised an incredible $7,474.50 for Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund. This will help brighten the lives of children and youth through enriching summer camp experiences, sports and recreational activities. This, in turn, strengthens their family bonds and gives them a better chance at developing important life skills. And they get to be kids again. It really is that simple.

For the past 16 summers, Sunnyside has used fun activities for campers, such as 50-50 draws, and they organize a huge live auction at their campground to fundraise. These efforts originated with the Shanley Family in memory of Matthew Shanley. The Shanley’s were long-time campers for over 30 years at Sunnyside, Westport, Ontario. Thank you everyone at Sunnyside for being valuable partners in helping ensure kids in child welfare have the same opportunities as others!

Sincerely,

Walter Noble, Executive Director
Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Thank you for Golfing for Ottawa Kids & Youth!
Photo of Walter Noble, Russ Doucet at CAF Ottawa Annual Golf Tournament

Ian Mendes, Walter Noble, Kunle Tauhid, and Russ Doucet. (L to R)

Sept. 21, 2022 – What a great day! It was wonderful to see you in person at the Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held at The Canadian Golf & Country Clube, in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Because of your generous support, over $28,000 was raised to help brighten the lives of children, youth, and families involved with child welfare.

Two of our incredible Youth Ambassadors took time at the event to share their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how they’ve managed to overcome their traumas to become successful. Listen to their stories here: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

We are grateful to Russ Doucet and the team at INSA, our Presenting Partners, for sponsoring our Annual Golf Tournament raising funds for Ottawa Children and Youth.

Congratulations!!

A huge congratulations goes out to the BDC foursome, Mike Blattman, Robert Shaw, Craig Bowditch & Rob Mills, as the winners of the 31st Annual Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa’s Golf Tournament. (With a close second from the Kelly Santini foursome.)

Honourable mentions:

The “Honest Golfers” award, with a score of 76, went to the National Bank team Brian B., Andrew B., Norman U. and Mike B.

And Shelley Rouble, who won the 50/50 draw and kindly donated a portion of her winnings back to the foundation. Not to mention that we truly appreciated her masterful coordination of the BDC volunteers! Big thank you and shout out to all our fabulous BDC volunteers. You made this an exceptional day for all our golfers and helped raise funds for our Ottawa Children and Youth.

Donor, Jessica, shares how she rallied her community this year to support the Holiday Gift Program
CTV-Morning-Live-Holiday-Gift-Program-Stories

January 3, 2022 – Jessica (Donor) and Gifty (The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa) were featured on CTV Morning Live to share their stories of our community helps over 1000 children during the holidays. The Holiday Gift Program gift program provides toys and gifts year-round, as we serve families of all faiths and cultures, no matter when they celebrate their holiday. Please take a moment to see the video!

Watch Video
CTV News Logo

Scotia Wealth Management presents $6,000 cheque to CAF Ottawa
Check presentation Scotia Wealth Management to Children's Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Dec. 28, 2022 – We truly appreciate the generosity of everyone at , who kindly donated $6,000 in support of vulnerable children and youth involved with child welfare. This will help the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa to provide much needed programs for education, life enrichment and youth transition out of foster care.

Scotia Wealth Management logo

Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive
Enterprise Holdings Toy Drive delivery at CAS Ottawa

Dec. 22, 2022 – Huge thanks to the amazing team at Enterprise Holdings, who are spreading joy this holiday season with their Holiday Gift Program toy drive! Gift recipients tell us that when they receive their toy, they know someone is thinking of them. They feel it! You are truly making a difference when you donate.

Enterprise Holdings Logo

450 Teddy Bears delivered to the Holiday Gift Program
450 Teddy Bears donated to the Holiday Gift Program 2022

Dec. 21, 2022 – Over 450 teddy bears will soon bring smiles to children in our community! These lovely teddies were donated to the Holiday Gift Program, which brings joy to over 1,000 children during their cultural holidays throughout the year. Thank you to our generous donors for including The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa in your community outreach this holiday season!

Corporate Traveller Toy Drive
Corporate Traveller team shown with toys donated for toy drive for Holiday Gift Program

Dec. 5, 2022 – The smiles say it all! Huge thanks to Michael Beaucage, Director, CAFO Board, and the team at Corporate Traveller Canada for holding a toy drive in support of the Holiday Gift Program. These generous gifts will brighten the lives of children involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa this holiday season. Our hearts are full of gratitude, as the need is greater than ever and we know it’s a tough year for giving.

Corporate Traveller logo

Over 200 mittens, toques and scarves donated!
Walter Noble receiving over 200 knitted items for children in need this holiday season

Dec. 1, 2022 – What is Walter wearing?… The Ottawa Chapter of Preceptor Epsilon Eta of Beta Sigma Phi have been busy knitting cozy winter toques, mittens and scarves for children involved with child welfare. They donated 200 of these items on #GivingTuesday! Thank you for helping keep children warm and comfortable this coming winter.

Gerry Doyle donates $25,000 on #GivingTuesday
Portrait Gerry Doyle

Nov. 29, 2022 – We are full of gratitude on this #GivingTuesday. THANK YOU, Gerry Doyle for your incredibly generous Dream Launcher 🚀 donation of $25,000. Your gift is helping children and youth reach for the stars by providing bursaries, tutoring, camp experiences, mental health counseling, and assisting young people to transition successfully out of foster care and into independent living. Gerry’s a passionate supporter of helping kids involved with child welfare, as he served on the CAFO board for 14 years, including Board Chair.

IG Wealth Management Doyle Group logo

Canada’s Largest Trivia Contest – Fun with Purpose!

Nov. 18, 2022 – Canada’s Largest Live Trivia Contest brought over 800 people together to participate in the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa World Trivia Night. A wonderful experience for all, while raising funds and awareness for children, youth and families involved with child welfare. We especially appreciate our Youth Ambassador and performer, Alana Sterling, for joining us to share their story with our community. Thank you to our all of our partners and to our key sponsors: MNP + Emond Harnden + Enterprise Holdings Inc

Learn More

$97,000 Raised at World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 18, 2022 – What a night! Over 800 trivia goers joined us for World Trivia Night and raised over $97,000 for children and youth involved with child welfare. What an amazing achievement! Congratulations go to the first-place team, ‘Shrodinger’s Cat Again’ winners of the Trong Nguyen Memorial Trophy + Ottawa Senators Game/Alumni Suite + “The Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults,” Paul Paquet.

Learn More

Bell Let’s Talk supports Mental Health Programs for Children & Youth
Check presentation photo Bell Lets Talk

October 31, 2022 – The need for mental health support for kids has grown exponentially. We are incredibly grateful to Bell Let’s Talk for providing $20,000 to fund one-on-one mental health counseling in partnership with Family Services Ottawa. This will directly support children and youth, involved with CAS Ottawa, who suffer from trauma.

Optiv “harnesses collective passion” to make lasting change at corporate team-building event

Nov. 2, 2022 – Game on! The folks at Optiv, a local and global tech firm, had a blast building and racing remote control cars during their team-building event. They kindly gifted the cars to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa, to distribute to children involved with child welfare. They chose our foundation because we’re a small, nimble, impactful organization. They can trust us to ensure their gifts get into the right hands. And you can too! Consider using your next team-building event to help your Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. It’s fun with purpose!

In their own words, Optive Chips In supports underserved populations through industry investments, community projects and mobilizing our employees to do good, harnessing our collective passions to make lasting change.”

Thank you, Optiv! You have brightened the lives of kids in your community.

Q: Who is Paul Paquet?
Photo of Trivia Master Paul Paquet

A: The Trivia Grand Master for World Trivia Night 2022

Nov. 1, 2022 – For more than 20 years, Paquet has run the local pub trivia circuit called the Ottawa Trivia League and curates the Trivia Hall of Fame. Paul has provided questions for, and acted as chief judge for, North America’s largest annual trivia event, World Trivia Night, which has raised more than $50,000 a year for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. He does this pro bono.

Whether writing custom questions or mining a database of 100,000+ questions, Paul Paquet has written more than 125,000 trivia questions! He is the author of the Brain Boosting Trivia Book for Adults, newspaper column, Trivia Bits, trivia column for Reader’s Digest, provided content for Who Wants to be a Millionaire UK merchandising and the online version of 1v100 on nbc.com.

World Trivia Night Ottawa Logo
Learn More

Canada Post Community Foundation presents cheque to CAF Ottawa
Canada Post Community Foundation check presentation

October 27, 2022 – A heartfelt thank you, Canada Post / Postes Canada!! We are grateful for your continued support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. We are among 101 community organizations across the country, who received a grant from the Canada Post 2022 Community Foundation. The funds will help support students aged 14-18 who are currently involved with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.

Each October, Canada Post employees help to raise funds to support charitable efforts through the Community Foundation. In 2022, the Foundation granted $1.3 million to support 101 community organizations across Canada. Funds are raised through an annual in-store campaign, sales of a special fundraising stamp and employee support – and every penny raised in a province stays in that province. Visit a post office near you this month to find out what our employees are doing to help support these efforts!

Canada Post Logo

Cardel Homes donates $5,000 to Holiday Gift Program
Cardel Homes check presentation

October 26, 2022 – Thank you, Cardel Homes!! We are so fortunate to have your continued support. Your $5,000.00 donation to the Holiday Gift Program will make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families involved with child welfare. This program is run by CAS Ottawa employees and helps families in need find joy over the holidays. A heartfelt thank you to all Ottawa Cardel Homes employees, Tanya Buckley, SVP and Paul Blinn, VP Operations, Cardel Homes, and our own CAS Youth Ambassador, Alex Driscoll and Mitra Zouhmand, Youth Resources Facilitator, CAS Ottawa.

Cardel Homes Logo

In their own words: Youth Ambassadors share their stories of the challenges of growing up in foster care and how they succeeded in transitioning successfully to young adulthood.
Sam Leprade, An Hour To Give graphic

October 25, 2022 – Two incredible youth ambassadors generously shared their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how education became one of the key factors in their success. Please take a moment to listen to these resilient youth and the people who helped them along the way: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

Thank you, Sam Laprade and City News 101.1, for shining a light on the importance of donations to The Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Your donations support Ottawa children and youth involved with CAS Ottawa through education, life enrichment and youth transition programs.
Listen Here
City News logo

$34,767 Raised by CAS Ottawa in “30k My Way” Relay Race

October, 14th, 2022 – Exciting times! The intrepid staff at CAS Ottawa raised $34,767 or kids involved in Child Welfare. The “30K Any Way Relay Race” was held on a beautiful day in October (the previous year it rained cats and dogs!), so with a sigh of relief, participants gathered along the Ottawa River Parkway to race on their own terms. Walk, Run, Cycle – rollerblade – do it any way, your way!

This is the 3rd annual event that these amazing folks have run for their kids. The funds raised will support the children, youth and families involved with the CAS Ottawa, through programs focused on education, life enrichment and youth transition.

Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund: a message from Walter Noble, CAF Ottawa
Photo of check presentation Shanley Shines Sunnyside Campground

It’s simple. Kids need to play. Matthew Shanley knew this. He was a camper at Sunnyside Campground and worked for the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO). Matthew knew that kids must get outside, run around, play ball, sleep in a tent, roast marshmallows… but many of our Ottawa kids don’t get this opportunity.

This summer, Sunnyside staff and their campers raised an incredible $7,474.50 for Sunnyside’s Shanley Shines Kids Fund. This will help brighten the lives of children and youth through enriching summer camp experiences, sports and recreational activities. This, in turn, strengthens their family bonds and gives them a better chance at developing important life skills. And they get to be kids again. It really is that simple.

For the past 16 summers, Sunnyside has used fun activities for campers, such as 50-50 draws, and they organize a huge live auction at their campground to fundraise. These efforts originated with the Shanley Family in memory of Matthew Shanley. The Shanley’s were long-time campers for over 30 years at Sunnyside, Westport, Ontario. Thank you everyone at Sunnyside for being valuable partners in helping ensure kids in child welfare have the same opportunities as others!

Sincerely,

Walter Noble, Executive Director
Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa

Thank you for Golfing for Ottawa Kids & Youth!
Photo of Walter Noble, Russ Doucet at CAF Ottawa Annual Golf Tournament

Ian Mendes, Walter Noble, Kunle Tauhid, and Russ Doucet. (L to R)

Sept. 21, 2022 – What a great day! It was wonderful to see you in person at the Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held at The Canadian Golf & Country Clube, in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Because of your generous support, over $28,000 was raised to help brighten the lives of children, youth, and families involved with child welfare.

Two of our incredible Youth Ambassadors took time at the event to share their personal stories of aging out of foster care and how they’ve managed to overcome their traumas to become successful. Listen to their stories here: http://ow.ly/PoiF50LjyIJ

We are grateful to Russ Doucet and the team at INSA, our Presenting Partners, for sponsoring our Annual Golf Tournament raising funds for Ottawa Children and Youth.

Congratulations!!

A huge congratulations goes out to the BDC foursome, Mike Blattman, Robert Shaw, Craig Bowditch & Rob Mills, as the winners of the 31st Annual Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa’s Golf Tournament. (With a close second from the Kelly Santini foursome.)

Honourable mentions:

The “Honest Golfers” award, with a score of 76, went to the National Bank team Brian B., Andrew B., Norman U. and Mike B.

And Shelley Rouble, who won the 50/50 draw and kindly donated a portion of her winnings back to the foundation. Not to mention that we truly appreciated her masterful coordination of the BDC volunteers! Big thank you and shout out to all our fabulous BDC volunteers. You made this an exceptional day for all our golfers and helped raise funds for our Ottawa Children and Youth.