From the OC Transpo/Loblaw food drive, to fundraising for Chrysalis House by some gift-wrapping ladies, to Sunday’s matinee concert by hometown guy, Jim Bryson, this past weekend was a busy time for many.
Generosity was shown by residents of Stittsville on December 14 when the 40th Annual OC Transpo/ Loblaw Holiday Food Drive was held at Brown’s Your Independent Grocer and Brandon & Megan’s No Frills. Thanks to this generosity, the Stittsville Food Bank received $5,036.67 and 5,750 food items. These donations and those that flow in daily will certainly help to fill the holiday hampers for those who need a little help. But, that’s not all, the Loblaw Group donated an additional $16,811.73.
Photos from Brown’s Your Independent Grocer during the OC Transpo Food Drive:
Photos from Brandon & Megan’s No Frills during the OC Transpo food drive:
The day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Stittsville Food Bank on this busy day. There we saw firsthand the volunteers sorting the donations received on December 14th. Theresa Qadri was kept busy sorting all the hundreds of boxes of cereal that had been donated. As the truck rolled in from Brandon & Megan’s, the volunteers busily got to work unloading it. So many donations were received and will fill the holiday hampers for the SFB clients. If you wish to donate, it’s not too late either online at this link or by dropping off your donation to 1631 Stittsville Main Street.
Donations were also being dropped in front of Councillor Gower’s office at the CARDELRec-Complex.
Stittsville Central also dropped into the CARDELRec-Complex to visit the ladies who were busily wrapping gifts in support of Chrysalis House to support women and children in crisis. The inspiration for this fundraiser came from Chelsea Walton who is always giving back, along with her family. A large team of volunteers came together that included members of the Canadian Military Wives Choir of Ottawa and Stittsville residents from the Stittsville Moms facebook group. The group wouldn’t be complete without the assistance of Chelsea’s family – Lily-Anne Bastien, Abigail Muir, Ruby Bastien, Emma Muir, Hazel Bastien and husband, Scott.
This inaugural fundraiser was a great success and thanks to the many who came by, $425.00 was donated to Chrysalis House. If you have gifts to be wrapped for Christmas, the group is continuing to do so in exchange for donations leading up to Christmas.
On December 15th, a live music event was held at the Stittsville Legion and we dropped in for the rehearsal. Stittsville’s own Jim Bryson and his band were finally playing in his hometown. Within hours of posting his concert on facebook, tickets were sold out! With the musical talent of Joe Rancourt, Paul Keating, Peter Von Althen, Philippe Charbonneau and Jacob Bryce, the matinee concert was filled with stories and music. The Legion is an incredible venue for a concert. With a new sound system and some sound reinforcements from the Rainmaker, it was a perfect afternoon filled with great music.
