Evening in the Maritimes Honourary Chair Michael Lifshitz, ABLE2 Executive Director Heather Lacey, and former NHL player and ABLE2 champion Jim Kyte kick off the 30th anniversary celebration with a ceremonial flag presentation representing the three East Coast provinces.
One of Ottawa’s longest-running and most beloved fundraising events, Evening in the Maritimes (EiTM) marked its 30th anniversary, raising more than $275,000 in support of ABLE2: Support for People with Disabilities.
Held on May 14, 2026, at The Westin Ottawa hotel, the gala welcomed nearly 400 guests, including business, political and media leaders, as well as dedicated community supporters. The East Coast-themed evening raised critical funds to support ABLE2’s life-changing programs and services for people with disabilities across Ottawa.
Notable attendees included City of Ottawa’s Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who attended the cocktail reception, former NHL player and champion of ABLE2, Jim Kyte, and former senator Vernon White, a longtime supporter of the event.
CTV Ottawa anchor Patricia Boal returned as this year’s master of ceremonies, keeping the guests engaged for an unforgettable evening. The live auction alone raised $36,000 in high-stakes bidding, led by Ryan Watson.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe poses for a playful “shell-fie” with ‘Larry the Lobster’ mascot Brennan Davis, CEO of LiveLoads, at the cocktail reception of Evening in the Maritimes.ABLE2 Board members Randy Slepchik and Rick Burns, EiTM Corporate Sales Committee member Derrick Hanson, Event Chair Danielle Demark, Honorary Chair Michael Lifshitz, ABLE2 Executive Director Heather Lacey, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, ABLE2 Director of Programs Thony Jean-Baptiste, ABLE2 Board Chair Adrian Raghunandan, Board Member Nick Korpikoski, and Larry the Lobster mascot Brennan DavisDisability advocate, businessman, and comedian Michael Lifshitz returns as Honorary Chair of Evening in the Maritimes for the third consecutive year.CTV News Ottawa anchor Patricia Boal returns as the Master of Ceremonies at the 30th anniversary edition of Evening in the MaritimesProud media sponsor and long-time ABLE2 partner Sequence Marketing is represented by team members and agency principals John Bishop and Vero Soucy, pictured with Larry the Lobster at Evening in the Maritimes.ABLE2 match Sheena Young and Colleen Brule share how their friendship, brought together through ABLE2, has changed both of their lives.High-energy live auction led by auctioneer Ryan Watson of Raising the Bid, generated $36,000 in support of ABLE2.OBJ publisher and Great River Media president Michael Curran joins fellow Ottawa Business Journal (please identify) guests in lively bidding during the live auction.Event Chair and RBC Wealth Management Investment Advisor Danielle Demark shares her gratitude following a successful 30th anniversary of Evening in the Maritimes.The evening concluded with a lively sing-along led by the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective.
