Now a central figure in the world of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Ottawa, our deepest gratitude goes out to Mr.  for his dedication and support of this special star-studded annual weekend! Thank you also to our main event sponsors, steel-level sponsor Trinity Development Group, and half-steel sponsors , , , , , and - without your significant contributions these events would not be possible!

We call them 'Friends of Henry' but you may know them as All-Stars from football, soccer, ultimate, boxing, hockey, the olympics and more! We are so very grateful to each of the All-Stars who joined our golfers on the course and for dinner this year: , , ,
, , , , , , , , Richard Leone, , Pat Woodcock, , , , , , Ronnie James, , , , ,  , , , Jeremy Hill and . 

Thank you also to the hole sponsors who provided entertainment, food and drinks along the course:  The with (Fresh-shucked oysters!!!), (Because we needed prosecco to go with the oysters of course...), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Shout out to in-kind sponsors, Chef Daryl Neamtu of  for serving up the delicious appetizers and amazing desserts at dinner,  for entertaining us at dinner, our emcees: Big Philip and Little Jeremy , and Mr. Lawrence Greenspon for once again being an exceptional auctioneer.

Last but not least, we would like to thank all of the golfers who joined us, everyone at  along with our events team at and our amazing BBBSO staff for making this event run smoothly.

Our fantastic event photos can be found on our Facebook page .

The post 2019 Henry Burris All-Star Golf Tournament Raises $80K! first appeared on 糖心直播 of Ottawa.

What if you could make a meaningful difference in a child鈥檚 life this holiday season?

My name is Alexandre and I鈥檓 a former Little Brother. This holiday season, I can鈥檛 think of a more important gift to give than a mentor and life-long friend to a child who needs one. I know firsthand that great things happen when a child receives the valuable gift of mentorship and the guidance they need to succeed in life.听

Alexandre with Big Brother Marc on Parliament Hill in 2003.

I was raised by a single mom, who tried her very best to fulfill the role of both a mother and a father. Despite my mother鈥檚 best efforts, by the age of seven, I was becoming an unhappy and angry kid. Recognizing that I needed a male role model in my life, my mom reached out to 糖心直播 of Ottawa (BBBSO) and enrolled me into the Big Brothers program. She believed that having a mentor in my life would make me a well-rounded and happier person 鈥� and she was right.

I first met my Big Brother Marc at the age of eight and we clicked right away. I still vividly remember our first outing together. BBBSO had given us a pair of tickets to an Ottawa 67鈥檚 hockey game at Lansdowne Arena. Marc picked me up in his mid-1990鈥檚 Buick Regal and listened to me talk through the entire game, barely getting a word in, but he continued to listen to me 鈥� and he still does today. Having an adult male to talk to and spend time with made me feel whole. I knew that I mattered and I also felt less angry. I looked forward to seeing Marc and spending a few hours with him each week.

Marc and I have continued to hang out or talk to each other almost every single week for over 15 years. He has been there to support me through the tough times, and has inspired me to grow personally, professionally, and academically. I know that I can count on him to be there whenever I need someone, and I feel very lucky and grateful to have him in my life.

You can change a child鈥檚 life by giving them the gift of a mentor this holiday season.

Today, at 24 years old, I鈥檓 happy, I鈥檝e successfully graduated from University and am a young professional with a bright future. I am also a confident public speaker and an ambassador for BBBSO.

Alexandre with Big Brother Marc at his graduation from the University of Ottawa in 2017.

My relationship with Marc is an example of the life-changing impact mentorship can have on a young person. I know my life would have turned out much differently without having my Big Brother in it.

Right now, there are 20 children who need a mentor听to give them the attention they deserve, to help them make good life decisions and to be there for them when they need it most. To match each child with a Big Brother or Sister, it costs $1500. This also provides the match with support by a trained staff member with a background in social work, and gives them opportunities to attend group events and activities for one full year. This means, with your support, if $30,000 is raised in the next six weeks, 20 children will receive the most important holiday gift of all 鈥� friendship and support.

Alexandre sharing his story at the 2018 糖心直播 Breakfast Fundraiser.

Your gift will match a child with a mentor who will positively change their life and be there for them for years to come.

听

With hope and gratitude,

Alexandre Malboeuf

Former Little Brother

P.S. Give a child encouraging hope and the gift of mentorship this holiday season.

听

听

The post Holiday Giving Campaign first appeared on 糖心直播 of Ottawa.

We are grateful to have been recognized as making a difference to kids in the Ottawa community and for being honoured with such a prestigious award.

United Way kindly put this video together showcasing what we do: 

The post Recipient of United Way鈥檚 All That Kids Can Be Community Builder of the Year Award first appeared on 糖心直播 of Ottawa.