Orléans residents have proven once again that they are among the most giving people in Canada, as they opening their hearts and wallets to help the less fortunate members of our community this holiday season.
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| Firefighters, volunteers and staff at the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre all pitched in to make this year’s Firefighters Food Drive another huge success. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO |
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 $15,000, which has already been used to augment the more than 4,000 toys that were either collected during the Parade of Lights and the Help Santa Toy Parade, or have been dropped off at fire stations across the city.
Area firefighters will be happy to continue to accept toys at local fire stations in Orléans right up until Christmas Eve.
Ottawa’s firefighters were at it once again on Saturday, Dec 6, when they held their annual Firefighters Food Drive at area grocery stores in support of the Orléans-Cumberland food bank.
The firefighters collected 19,675 food items and over $8,850 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 over $105,000 as of
Dec. 12 for the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre’s Christmas program including a $40,000 donation from Orléans Toyota.
The money raised will be used to support over 1,885 individuals during the holiday season almost half of whom are children.
The Resource Centre is still accepting donations to the program in the hope of reaching their goal of $250,000. Donations can be made at www.crcoc.ca/christmas.
Other fundraising efforts were held in conjunction with the Cumberland Christmas Market, the National Capital Artisans Christmas Craft Show and the Heart of Orléans Christmas Night Market.
Elsewhere, more than 100 people dropped by Taproom 260 to support the Christmas Angels program and help raise more than $10,000 in the process through a silent auction, raffle and corporate donations. The money will be used to purchase gift cards for 10 local families of children who are being treated for severe illnesses such as cancer.
KIDS SPRING FLING from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Blackburn Community Hall on Glen Park Drive. For children ages 2 - 10 years old accompanied by an adult. This is an oportunity for kids and their parents to engage in various Spring-themed arts and crafts activities and games. Presented by the Blackburn Community Association.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
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.
KARAOKE NIGHT staring at 7 p.m. at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. Come sing your favourite songs.
YARD SALE along Stojko Street and Senateurs Way in Fallingbrook from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Something for everyone. Toys. Clothing. Sports equipment. Housewares and more.
