Orléans residents have proven once again that they are among the most giving people in Canada, as they have opened their hearts and wallets to help the less fortunate members of our community this holiday season.
The season of giving started with Santa’s Parade of Lights where parade-goers filled the firefighters’ boots and used the Tap the Boot app to donate more than $22,000, which has already been used to buy thousands of toys for children whose families are facing financial hardship.
Although Orléans residents have always been generous in the past, parade organizer Bob Rainboth was blown away by both the sheer number of people who came out to see the parade and the money and toys they donated.
Ottawa’s firefighters were at it once again on Saturday, Dec 7, when they held their annual Firefighters Food Drive at area grocery stores in support of the Orléans-Cumberland food bank.
The firefighters collected more than 26,500 food items and over $14,500 in monetary donations which will go a long way to meet the demand not only over the holiday season, but well into the New Year.
Orléans residents and business owners have also donated several thousand dollars in support of the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre’s Christmas pro-gram which will be used to support more than 400 families.
While Christmas is only a few days away, the OCCRC is still encouraging members of the community to donate to the program and the food bank by visiting their website at www.crcoc.com.
This past Sunday, more than 200 people dropped by Taproom 260 to support the Christmas Angels program and help raise more than $10,000 in the process. The money will be used to purchase gift cards for children who are being treated for severe illnesses such as cancer.
Last, but by no means least, Saltwater Santas Tony Sullivam and Bob Presland had already collected more than $15,000 in donations from visitors to Sullivan’s Christmas light display on Sugar Creek Way with two more weeks left to go.
The money raised will be distributed to various charities in Ottawa and Orléans over the coming weeks.
DAPO FUN DAY from 12 noon at the Blackburn Community Park. Live music, DJs, BBQ, kids activities and much more. This is a fundraising event for the Dapo Agoro Foundation for Peace.
OPEN CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Minimum of five games! All levels welcome, but first-timers are HIGHLY encouraged to sign up and learn this fun activity. To pre-register 
EUCHRE TOURNAMENT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Join a great gang of people playing euchre. Pizza served at 6 p.m., and cards dealt at 6:30 p.m. Send an email to info@straydogbrewing.ca to get on the list. Do NOT send your etransfer until you receive confirmation there is room for you. $25 gets you in and includes a beverage, two slices of delicious pizza, and a chance at some great prizes. It's one hell of a deal
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
