Friday night lights shine bright for OSEG Foundation’s Gourmet on the Gridiron

For the first time in six years, the sun smiled down on OSEG Foundation’s signature fundraiser, Gourmet on the Gridiron. Co-host Henry Burris reacted exactly how one might expect of a sports legend known for his sunny disposition: he smiled right back.

“Mother Nature is on our side,” the retired CFL quarterback told a gathering of community and business leaders on the Ottawa Redblacks’ home turf at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne. It was an action-packed Friday night filled with food, drinks and engaging games. Most importantly, the evening raised more than $300,000 for the OSEG Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s helping to ensure more children and youth in our community have the opportunity to play sports and to reap the mental, emotional, social and physical benefits. 

The evening also served as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the CFL returning to Ottawa, made possible by the efforts of five Ottawa business leaders.

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Burris and Patricia Boal from CTV News Ottawa did an outstanding job emceeing the outdoor event together, as well as leading the live auction. The last time Burris hosted the dinner in 2018 was the only other time it was on the field. It’s been held several times on the covered concourse of the stadium because of unpredictable weather.

For sure, the perfect clear blue skies put everyone in a good mood, but so did the Redblacks’ home-opening victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday — a day Mayor Mark Sutcliffe proclaimed as Henry Burris Day in Ottawa.  During the dinner Friday, the mayor conveyed to Burris — nicknamed Smilin’ Hank — how much he’s been an inspiration to him.

Burris, a three-time Grey Cup champion and married father of two athletic boys, retired from the CFL in 2017. The member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is currently co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Florida A&M University. Joining him at the dinner was his wife, Nicole Burris.

The cocktail hour saw attendees first walk through an inflatable football helmet tunnel, greeted on the other side by football players and cheerleaders (similar to how the Redblacks players run through at the beginning of each home game).

Come dinner time, the Redblacks team strutted onto the field in a procession, with some players grooving to the lively music played by the DJ Tdot. The mood was relaxed and fun throughout the event, with players and coaching staff dining and mingling with attendees. Head coach Bob Dyce and GM Shawn Burke were both in attendance, as was OSEG’s chief executive, Mark Goudie, who’s also on the board of the OSEG Foundation. 

Roger Greenberg, managing partner and executive chairman of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, officially welcomed the crowd and told everyone how “deeply grateful” he was for their support of OSEG Foundation, led by executive director Janice Barresi.

John Ruddy, executive chairman of Trinity Group of Companies, was the one who first inspired Greenberg to consider a CFL expansion in Ottawa. “I still recall that fateful day in 2007 when my dear friend John Ruddy invited me to lunch,” Greenberg said at the podium. “He asked me, ‘Are you interested in doing something that will cost a little bit of money, require a little bit of time, but we’re going to have a lot of fun?’. Naively, I asked, ‘Oh, what’s that John?’ He said, ‘Well, let’s bring CFL football back to Ottawa’.”

The team was launched in 2014, and would go on to win the Grey Cup championship in 2016. To this day, Greenberg and his business partners have “no regrets”. Their efforts led to the revitalization of the mixed-use urban district known as Lansdowne, where the sports facilities are located. OSEG also owns and manages the Ottawa 67’s. As well, TD Place is home to Atletico Ottawa, PWHL Ottawa and the Blackjacks, and host venue for numerous concerts and events.

Greenberg spoke about the Redblacks’ community involvement. “I couldn’t be prouder of them for that,” said the board chair of OSEG Foundation and executive chairman of the board of The Minto Group. “While our on-field performance has admittedly not been where we needed it to be these last few years, what has never faulted is the unwavering commitment of players to make a difference off the field.”

Greenberg, who’s an award-winning philanthropist and volunteer fundraiser, holds many different roles, but none that he treasures more than that of grandparent. “As a ‘pop-pop’ to three — maybe some more; we’ll see – I have great hopes and aspirations for my grandchildren,” he said, noting they are luckier than most. “I recognize that my grandchildren were born into loving families, and have all the requisite support and protective factors needed to reach their fullest potential.”

However, that’s not the case for all young people, due to social and economic factors, he continued.  “At the OSEG Foundation, our goal is to make sure all kids in our community have an equal chance to learn transferable skills, boost their self-esteem, nurture their creativity, connect with their community and create lasting memories, and that no young person is left behind.”

Attendees heard from participants and volunteers of such OSEG Foundation programs as Girls on the Run Ottawa, Ottawa Blind Hockey Team, and the Redblacks Mentorship Program.

Ollie Acosta-Pickering, who’s turning 12, spoke about the joy of being able to play hockey with his friends since losing his vision due to treatment for childhood cancer. He was on stage with his mom, Dawn Pickering, and fellow goalie Collin MacKenzie, from the 67’s. Seventeen-year-old Kate Bahati, who’s starting college in the fall, doesn’t just consider Redblacks defensive lineman Michael Wakefield her mentor; he’s also her friend. He’s helped to shape her outlook on life, and provided emotional support during the pandemic, she said. It was amazing to see her appear so comfortable and confident speaking before a large crowd.

Volunteer coach Sydney Schneider expressed regret that Girls on the Run wasn’t around when she was a kid. By age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate as boys. Not only does the program help develop and encourage girls’ interest in running and sports, but it helps them gain confidence and connections, and to feel empowered, she said.

Between dinner courses, attendees were invited to join Redblacks players on the field to kick the football potentially through the goal posts, or to test out their throwing accuracy. The players consistently offered encouraging words and high-fives to participants.

One of the highlights of the night was the exciting game of musical chairs — a staple of childhood birthday parties. Both attendees and football players participated. In place of chairs were logs. There was some tackling, though little of it was done by football players. The final two contestants were Ainsley Malhotra, who was representing Riverstone Retirement Communities, and Erik Marko, principal at Colliers Project Leaders. Marko won.

Colliers was one of the major sponsors, along with Site Preparation Limited, Inflector Environmental Services, Halpenny Insurance, Casino du Lac Leamy and Tiree.

Kathleen Grimes,  co-owner of Site Preparation Ltd., is also on the OSEG Foundation board with the likes of former mayor Jim Durrell, community leader and philanthropist Rob Ashe and Ottawa Board of Trade past board chair Ian Sherman – all of whom were there.  Among the loyal attendees of the fundraiser was prominent Ottawa architect Barry Hobin, who was recently honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Design Achievement Award by the Ontario Association of Architects.