RedBlacks, business leaders score one for the kids at OSEG Foundation’s Gourmet on the Gridiron

It’s not often you see footballs flying over the heads of dinner guests, but that’s just what makes OSEG Foundation’s Gourmet on the Gridiron different from any other fundraiser in town.

More than 400 attendees had a fun and lively evening at TD Place Stadium on Tuesday, raising $300,000 for the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Foundation and the work it does to help children and youth facing barriers when it comes to participating in sports. 

“It’s more than just playing and being active,” Ottawa business leader Roger Greenberg, who’s also one of the owners of the Ottawa RedBlacks football team, said of the important life skills and relationships kids are able to develop through sport.

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“It’s a chance to connect them with their community, so they can be part of something bigger. It’s about giving kids from families with limited financial means the same chance to participate as their neighbours, their classmates and their friends.

“We are working hard to ensure that no young person gets left behind.”

The entire RedBlacks team, including its coaches, took part by dining with guests, running activities and, later, helping to raise money. Their commitment to the community is not lost on Greenberg, who expressed his pride and gratitude. “Our team’s work off the field is almost as important as the work on the field.”

Sports commentator Kate Beirness and Brent Wallace were back to emcee the popular fundraiser. The title sponsor was Site Preparation Ltd., owned by Kathleen Grimes and Ersin Ozerdinc.

The evening had the support of many business leaders, including Inflector Environmental Services CEO Jeff Clarke and Terlin Construction owner Terry McLaughlin with his wife, Catherine McLaughlin, who served as event chair. Top sponsors each received their own personalized wooden “cookie”. As RedBlacks fans will know, the circular slabs are sawed off at the games, after the team scores a touchdown, and given out to honour community heroes.

Also out that night was Welch LLP’s Josh Raganold, co-chair of the recent RedBlacks Summer Rush networking event and fundraiser for OSEG Foundation, which is headed by executive director Janice Barresi.

Attendees were supposed to eat on the football field that night but, due to the rain, the meal was instead served on the adjacent south concourse.

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrose expressed his gratitude to Greenberg and John Ruddy for “moving mountains” to bring football back to Ottawa almost 10 years ago. Greenberg is executive chairman of Minto Group and of OSEG, and board chair of OSEG Foundation. He’s also managing partner of OSEG with Ruddy,  executive chairman of Trinity Development Group. 

Greenberg compared owning a sports team to riding a roller coaster. “There are many ups and downs, twists and turns along the way, and what helps John and I ride through those lows and highs — besides a stiff drink now and then — is the important work that the OSEG Foundation, the RedBlacks and the 67’s carry out in the community. Nothing makes us prouder.”

Organizers were successful in raising $50,000 through a Fund a Need. Those guests who made a pledge got a football from a RedBlacks player. One of the highlights of the night was watching a football thrown by RedBlacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli as it sailed across the room to MyCar dealer principal Brad Boehme, who made a brilliant catch while seated at his dinner table. It was business leader Rob Ashe who got things rolling with his $10,000 pledge.

The night wasn’t all just fun and games. There were stories shared throughout the evening of how the OSEG Foundation has enriched the lives of children through such programs as the RedBlacks Mentorship Program, Girls on the Run and the Ottawa Blind Hockey Team.

Ottawa mom Maria Fabiani spoke about the difference playing hockey has made for her 14-year-old daughter Sofia, who’s visually impaired. “For the first time, Sofia felt like she was just like every other kid,” she said at the podium. “She wasn’t different. As a parent, that’s all you want for your baby, for them to feel included, for them to feel like they’re a part of something, and the OSEG Foundation made this happen for Sofia.”

It was also touching to hear how much RedBlacks defensive back (and former Carleton Ravens player) Justin Howell has enjoyed mentoring Ottawa youth and helping them to reach their full potential, and how rewarding the experience has been for him.

“I know myself, as a kid, I was definitely a knucklehead,” he told the room of his upbringing in a low-income, single-parent family, living in community housing. “A lot of times I was on my own with my brothers. We didn’t have too much guidance, I’ll say. So, for me, football is really what dragged me out of that situation. I had great coaches and mentors. That’s what allowed me to be here, 15 years later, in my fifth year in the CFL.

“This is why this program, specifically, is so important to me. You never know what small difference you might make.”

caroline@obj.ca