Not even Santa’s magical sleigh could fit all the gifts collected during last night’s Beyond Networking holiday party.
Contributions of all kinds piled up throughout the night as some 150 attendees arrived with their donations of toys, craft supplies, games, stuffed animals, gift cards and other items, both fun and practical, to cheer up families who will be spending their upcoming holidays in hospital at CHEO.
The holiday party was held at a new business in the ByWard Market called Alora Restaurant and Bar, located on Clarence Street.
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The annual gathering is the signature event for the Beyond Networking series launched by Ottawa chartered professional accountant Sarwar Qureshi, a partner at Paterson & Company.
Qureshi and his computer engineer wife, Fatima Chaudhry, are also parents of three daughters, ages six, four and four months. Their youngest, Amana, was a neonatal intensive care patient at CHEO this past summer. After she was born, she underwent minor heart surgery performed by CHEO heart surgeon Dr. Gyaandeo Maharajh. Her stay at the pediatric hospital lasted about 10 days.
“She’s doing fine now, she’s doing fine,” said Qureshi reassuringly. “The care was fantastic.”
The hospital staff had been “so thoughtful”, said Qureshi of the small gifts offered to his older two girls to keep them entertained during their visits, and of the access he and his family had to the homey comforts of the Ronald McDonald Living Rooms located at CHEO.
As the region’s only children’s hospital, CHEO has been a community fixture for nearly 50 years. “But, I never needed it,” said Qureshi. “This year, we needed it. Now, I appreciate it a lot more.”
Qureshi got a helping hand from his wife, along with Ottawa business leaders Ashley Hopkins, president and CEO of Paradigm Commercial Group of Properties, Joanne Kudakiewicz, community relations manager with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network, and Nik Lemieux, owner of business management consulting company Mirabel Management.
CHEO is currently in a state of overcapacity. Many kids and families will have to spend their holidays at the hospital, said Bob Ghosh, community engagement officer for CHEO Foundation.
“Events like this one mean the world, especially this time of year,” he said of the gifts and money collected that night in support of CHEO families and the CHEO Bear’s Wish List.
Adding a fundraising component to the networking event was a draw for KPMG’s Stacey McMillan.
“Everyone is so busy this time of the year,” she said of all the holiday party options out there. “But, when you incorporate a charitable function, it’s worth it. It feels good to be able to give back.”
McMillan also got her two young children to participate when buying her donation gifts.
Attendees included local entrepreneur and long-time CHEO supporter Tuan Nguyen, who was proudly wearing his CHEO Bear pin. In 2014, Nguyen was inducted into CHEO’s Order of Good Bear in recognition of his volunteer efforts with the student-run organization CASCO at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. The group, which produces an annual show, hit the $1 million fundraising mark for CHEO at its latest gala held last month.
Small business community builder Jarrod Goldsmith took his signature black fedora hat up a notch by adding a Christmas headband. On the subject of headwear, it was easy to spot Adam Day, financial controller at TCU Development Corporation, thanks to his Santa hat. Day was in charge of the gift exchange, which proved to be another effective way for attendees to meet new people while also giving and receiving presents.
The holiday party, held for its 7th year, provided a friendly atmosphere for business professionals and entrepreneurs looking to create connections or to bond with new colleagues. Intega IT president and CEO John Robinson was out with his work gang. “I want them to get to know each other outside of work,” he told OBJ.social.
The place was packed with partygoers. Occasionally bumping into one another was not only acceptable but an inherent part of the experience. The same rule applied to the accidental dropping of glassware. When it happened, lively shouts of “Opa!” echoed through the crowd (in Greek culture, the expression sometimes accompanies the act of plate smashing).
Speaking of plates, Qureshi has a lot on his. He organizes the Beyond Networking events while also juggling business, family and his volunteer work, which includes sitting on the board of Ottawa Network for Education and serving as president of the Ottawa chapter of M&A Club Canada.
“I’m passionate about all these things so it doesn’t feel like work,” he told OBJ.social. “Some people like to watch football on Sundays. I like organizing networking events.
“A lot of these people are my friends, so to me it’s the perfect blend of social and business.”
caroline@obj.ca
