Who: Mary Gauthier, president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa (MCA Ottawa)
The donation: $635,000
The recipient: Ottawa Food Bank (OFB)
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The inspiration: “I am amazed because it is only a one-day golf tournament. Volunteers and sponsors and members step up to support a cause that is crucial and local. Some people give in large ways and some in smaller ways, yet everyone does their part as food is important to everyone. We all need to be here for Ottawa,” says Mary Gauthier, president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa.
The Meadows Golf and Country Club will be busy on July 13 as the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa raises money for the Ottawa Food Bank. For the 16th year, members of MCA Ottawa will swap their tools of the trade for golf clubs to add to the $635,000 that has been donated to date to the Ottawa Food Bank.
MCA Ottawa supports the OFB Community Harvest program, which is responsible for growing more than 20 different crops to provide locally grown produce to the network of food banks and food programs across the city.
Last year, the Community Harvest farm grew and distributed nearly 180,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables.
“We are beyond grateful for the support of the Mechanical Contractors Association through their golf tournament and as the presenting sponsor of our Community Harvest program,” says the Ottawa Food Bank’s CEO, Rachael Wilson.
“MCA and their members go above and beyond every year to support the Ottawa Food Bank. It means a lot to us that they have chosen to sponsor our Community Harvest program to ensure we can continue to provide locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for families and individuals in our city.”
“The companies participating are all competitors, but when they get on the golf course or raise money for the food bank, they are not afraid to collaborate. They often joke around with each other about the golf scores and the auction is competition. However, make no mistake about it, they are here for the local food bank,” adds Gauthier.
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Ottawa is an association of unionized contractors working in the plumbing, sheet metal and controls trades, including suppliers, manufacturers and other related service providers. The association consists of about 100 member firms.
MCA Ottawa won the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Ottawa Chapter, Outstanding Philanthropic Group Award in 2014 following the nomination by the Ottawa Food Bank.
