Edition 24 - October 16, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE...

1) KEEPING SCORE: GOLF TOURNAMENT NEWS

2) NEW YEAR'S EVE IN OTTAWA TICKETS

3) HELPING TELL THE STORY: VITAL SIGNS

4) AN ASSIST FROM THE SENATORS FOUNDATION

5) ORIENTATION & AGM 2008

6) SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

KEEPING SCORE: GOLF TOURNAMENT NEWS

Volunteer organizers Pat McFadden, Paul Sheldon, and Jack Murphy sold out the LiveWorkPlay golf tournament for the second year in a row. 144 golfers teed off on the afternoon of September 30 and enjoyed a round of golf and many exciting contests, followed by a banquet at GreyHawk Golf Club.

It was the first fundraiser of 2008-2009 for LiveWorkPlay, and thanks to a $4000 sponsorship from Marcomm, the event brought in more than $17,000! This includes more than $2000 raised in about 30 minutes through a short live auction that followed dinner.

"One goal for next year is to include more sponsors," said Mr. McFadden. "We will be inviting businesses big and small to get involved as hole sponsors and looking for other creative ways to continue building this tournament. LiveWorkPlay is a great cause and we were pleased to see so many companies and golfers returning from last year."

Get a flavour for the spirit of the day with selected tournament video highlights.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN OTTAWA TICKETS

If you attended last year's awesome event in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza you left hoping for more of the same to ring in 2009. Well, you wanted it, you got it! Sticks n Stones is back to keep the dance floor rocking. The one significant change for this year will see the buffet being replaced by a plated rib steak dinner, which means no tables to clear off the dance floor, and more time to celebrate!

To purchase tickets to the New Year's Eve In Ottawa ballroom party go to NewYearsEveInOttawa!

What's also new for this year is the private members-only penthouse party! There will be a buffet dinner in the penthouse foyer, and DJ Paul "Bee Diddy" Hamilton will be spinning your requests all night long, and after dinner penthouse guests are also welcome to check out the ballroom.

To purchase tickets to the penthouse party you must a member of a Journeys or SMILE family, a volunteer, or a staff member. Qualified purchasers can also order tickets for guests they would like to bring along to the private party. For members-only tickets please click here.

HELPING TELL THE STORY: VITAL SIGNS

Vital Signs is an annual community checkup conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our cities. The Community Foundation of Ottawa released this year's edition on October 7.

"The report raises some key issues for the residents of Ottawa to consider as they make various important decisions, whether they’re thinking about making philanthropic donations, volunteering in the community, or preparing to vote in federal, municipal or provincial elections,” said Barbara McInnes, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa. “The goal of producing this report each year is to learn, share and inspire community conversation and debate, and this year’s report certainly provides plenty to talk about."

LiveWorkPlay was honoured to help tell the story of Ottawa's housing situation in this year's Vital Signs. The On Our Own Together Too transitional housing program was featured as "an innovative pilot project designed to address urgent needs resulting from the shift away from institutional living and the dilemma faced by aging parents of people with disabilities."

Featured prominently in the story is a photo of Tim Siebrasse, who graduated from OOOT-Too in June and enjoyed a meet and greet with Community Foundation of Ottawa staff and community partners on October 8. "I'm looking forward to moving into a place of my own," said Tim.

AN ASSIST FROM THE SENATORS FOUNDATION

Launched in October 1998, the Sens Foundation provides direct financial aid to organizations within the eastern Ontario and western Quebec regions that service children and youth in the areas of education, health, and recreation.

On October 16 the foundation celebrated contributions totalling more than $1 million, including $5000 for Journeys. LiveWorkPlay co-founder Keenan Wellar attended the ceremony (pictured with Sens Foundation Communications Coordinator Colleen Clark).

"Our history with the Ottawa Senators Foundation goes all the way back to 1998," says Keenan. "We were developing our first ever summer learning program [ACES] and they came through with a grant that got it off the ground. It's great to be back here ten years later accepting support for Journeys, which grew out of the original ACES program."

ORIENTATION & AGM 2008

There was a massive turnout for the Orientation and Annual General Meeting on September 26. About 95% of Journeys and SMILE participants and their parents were in attendance. The Orientation featured a new comprehensive information package with details about all the opportunities and events of the year.

At the AGM members discussed highlights from 2007-2008 and took a look ahead to 2008-2009. People with intellectual disabilities moving into homes of their own dominated the LiveWorkPlay headlines this past year. This outstanding result came as a result of many years of hard work and extensive cooperation between LiveWorkPlay and families.

There was a sad farewell to the evening when Vice-Chair Mitchell Leitman announced the departure of long-time volunteer Susan Bools from the Board of Directors: "For her many years of volunteer service we extend our gratitude to Sue."

You can access the minutes and additional AGM information from member events.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

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