It was a full house at the annual Christmas Cheer Breakfast Friday morning, as local charities and business leaders gathered to kick off the holiday season with a good cause.
The beloved tradition, now in its 73rd year, set a new record, raising $150,000 to help Ottawa families put food on the table over the holidays. This year’s funds will go toward supporting 31 local charities.
“We’re really thrilled,” Samantha Hamilton, chair of the Christmas Cheer Foundation board, told OBJ. “This year, we are a sold-out event. That means 600 people here today – we sold all 60 of our tables.”
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Hamilton said enthusiasm is always high from corporate sponsors and local donors, but this year’s event drew so many supporters that they were able to raise their fundraising goal.
“Each year we’ve had a goal to raise at least $100,000 and we have consistently,” said Hamilton. “But this year we said, you know, the need is greater than ever. Let’s set a new ambitious target. And we’re thrilled the Ottawa community answered that call and we met and exceeded our goal.”
Caring and Sharing Ottawa is among the charities that will benefit from this year’s fundraiser. According to executive director Cindy Smith, the holidays are often the most difficult time of year for families in need.
“Unfortunately this year, as with most charities, we’re seeing an incredible increase in need,” she said. “We’re seeing almost 30,000 individuals from almost 10,000 households turn to us for assistance. So I want to thank everybody for being here to help people in need and families this holiday season.”
Attendees were up bright and early to enjoy a buffet breakfast with their morning coffee, served to them by “celebrity servers” from local television and radio stations. Several guests took home raffle prizes, including gift baskets, hockey tickets, and free trips.
Santa Claus and one of his helpers also made a special appearance to hand out a couple of prizes.
In addition to performances from the Ottawa children’s group OrKidstra and the Carleton Choir, award-winning local artist Cody Coyote brought his unique hip hop sound to the stage.
Before his performance, Coyote – who is of Ojibwe and Irish descent and traces his roots to the Matachewan First Nation – opened up about his own family’s reliance on food banks during his childhood.
“I’ll definitely encourage you to support the organizations here,” he said. “You’re here for a good reason. You have good in your heart and you’re showing up because you believe in this event. I’m a strong believer that any form of change that we’re going to do here, as guests on Algonquin territory, begins with getting to know each other a little bit better and doing things from a kind heart.”
