Inaugural Mayor's Charity Ball

Ottawa Citizen | The Mayor’s Gold Hearts Gala

Ottawa Business Journal | Gold Hearts Gala raises $1.3M in support of the Ottawa Food Bank

Every once in a while, there’s a special moment that takes your breath away, that gives you chills, that reminds you what an amazing community we live in. Last night was one of those moments.   The wonderful team at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier approached me last year about holding an event called the Mayor’s Charity Ball. They wanted to host a signature event to raise money for the community. Right away, I said yes. 

Despite all the progress we’ve made as a city, despite how much prosperity there is in our community, food insecurity is a rapidly growing challenge. The rising cost of food has left many families behind. It was decided the fundraiser recipient would be the Ottawa Food Bank, which has been doing heroic work but can’t keep up with demand. 

It was a spectacular, sold-out event with many generous sponsors including Ottawa International Airport Authority, Amazon, Mark Motors Group, Assent, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa, Richcraft Homes, Trexity, and Encore. There were prizes for a live auction and a silent auction. And the incomparable Ben Mulroney was the MC. Ottawa firefighters volunteered to sell raffle tickets.  

Last night, the room was buzzing with energy. I appealed to everyone to remember that despite how lucky we are, there are still so many who are less fortunate, vulnerable and struggling. Rachael Wilson, the CEO of the Food Bank, delivered a powerful speech about the astonishing numbers. One in four families in our community are affected by food insecurity, including 17,000 children. She received a standing ovation. At the end of the night, we announced that more than $250,000 had been raised for the Ottawa Food Bank.

But there was one more detail we wanted to share. Michael Maidment is a great community leader and for seven years was the CEO of the Food Bank. He’s now the CEO of the Ottawa Community Foundation, one of our city’s largest fundraising organizations. Michael said he was aware of the unique challenges the community is experiencing and he had asked his board for the authority to make a special contribution to the Food Bank.   I introduced Michael and brought him up on stage. He shared his own personal story of how he remembered nights when his family was gathered around the dinner table and he and his brother ate but his parents had nothing. Michael then announced that the Ottawa Community Foundation was making a contribution of $1,000,000 to the Ottawa Food Bank.  

When Michael said the words, you could hear gasps around the room. People leapt to their feet and began cheering. It was a moment I’ll never forget. I’m so proud of our community and so grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, and organizers of the Mayor’s Charity Ball. Thank you for your generosity.   I’ve never felt luckier, never felt prouder to be a part of this kind and giving community. I still get chills just thinking about it. Thank you #TeamOttawa.