From September 1 to November 14, 2010 The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro and The Elk Ranch partnered to raise funds for the School Breakfast Program. The WORKS and the Elk Ranch donated $1 for every elk burger sold throughout the ten week promotion. How many elk burgers did The WORKS customers order? That would be 9,401! Add that to cash donations and the total amount raised was $10,000. That $10,000 donation will provide 10,000 breakfasts to students in-need in Ottawa. 

From left to right - Aaron Turner (The WORKS), Andy O'Brien (The WORKS), Thom Van Eeghen and Fay Armitage (The Elk Ranch), Angela Swann (The WORKS). Holding cheque - Suzanne de Abreu and Christine Lauzon Foley (both of OCRI)

Research shows that students who are fed a nutritious breakfast make significant improvements in learning, school attendance, behaviour and self-esteem. By providing breakfast we are helping students achieve success in the classroom. Over 11,000 students in 148 schools benefit from the support of the School Breakfast Program every school day. That equals 2,178,000 meals per year.

The School Breakfast Program is successful because of the tremendous support it receives from the community. Thank you to The Elk Ranch, The WORKS and its customers for their generous support. Because of your support 10,000 students will start their day with a full stomach and the fuel they need to succeed!

2010 was a great year for volunteers and organizers of OttawaReads all across the city.  But, it was an even better year for the children in Cornwall who, for the first time, had an opportunity to participate in one of the region’s most influential volunteer-based reading programs.

OttawaReads absolutely took off this spring thanks to the involvement of various individuals and organizations including: Marc Hurtubise, principal of École Rose-des-Vents; Pauline Laneville, literacy resource teacher; the five generous volunteers who were supported by Andre Charlebois, director of the Charles-Emile Claude Multipurpose Centre for Seniors; and Linda Newman, Program Manager OttawaReads, OCRI.  This initiative was made possible through the development of a special project, led by the Charles-Emile Claude Multipurpose Centre for Seniors, which received federal funding to bring OttawaReads to Cornwall.

This first season is just the beginning of a great adventure in reading. Students in the first and second grades of Rose-des-Vents School were delighted to mingle with volunteers who helped them read for a predetermined period, two times a week, during the month of May. Our volunteers, Aline Fleury, Madeleine Laflamme, Jeannine and Robert Lemire were completely dedicated to guiding the children through entertaining reading exercises and the students reciprocated by trying hard and having fun!

We mustn’t forget to thank our team seamstress who crafted custom book bags for all our volunteers. It added a personal touch to a program that will be remembered for a long time!

Congratulations to all and good luck with Cornwall’s new community project.

If you are interested in learning more about OttawaReads (which is available in both official languages), becoming a volunteer or introducing the program to your community, please contact Sheila Jenkins, Program Manager, OttawaReads , (613) 828-6274 ext. 237, sjenkins@ocri.ca.

2010 a été une grande année pour les bénévoles et les organisateurs de LectureOttawa partout à travers la ville.  Mais, il a été une meilleure année pour les enfants de Cornwall qui, pour la première fois, on eu l’occasion de participer à l’un des plus influents programmes de lecture basé sur le volontariat de la région.

LectureOttawa a pris son envol ce printemps grâce à la participation de diverses personnes et organisations y compris : Marc Hurtubise, directeur de l’école Rose-des-vents, Pauline Laneline, enseignante-ressources d’alphabétisation, les cinq généreux bénévoles qui ont été soutenus par André Charlebois, directeur du Centre Charles-Émile Claude, centre polyvalent des aînés et Linda Newman, gestionnaire du programme LectureOttawa, OCRI.  Cette initiative a été rendu possible grâce à l’élaboration d’un projet spécial, dirigé par le centre Charles-Émile Claude, centre polyvalent des aînés qui a reçu un financement fédéral pour mettre Lecture Ottawa à Cornwall.

Cette première saison est  le début d’une grande aventure de la lecture.  Les élèves de première et deuxième année de l’École Rose-des-vents ont été ravis de se mêler aux bénévoles qui ont aidé à lire pour une période prédéterminée, deux fois par semaine durant le mois de mai.  Nos bénévoles; Aline Fleury, Madeleine Laflamme, Jeannine et Robert Lemire, Aline Roy ont consacrés leur dévouement à l’orientation des enfants dans leur lecture en effectuant des exercices et réciproquement les élèves ont pris plaisir à travailler avec ardeur et joie.

Nous ne devons pas oublier notre équipe de couturière qui ont préparé des sacs de lecture personnalisé pour tous nos bénévoles.  Cette initiative a ajouté une touche personnelle à un programme dont on se souviendra pendant longtemps!

Félicitations à tous et bonne chance à ce nouveau projet communautaire à Cornwall.

Si vous êtes intéressés à en apprendre plus au sujet de LectureOttawa (qui est disponible dans les deux langues officielles), devenir bénévole ou introduire un programme dans votre communauté, s’il-vous-plaît communiquez avec Linda Newman, Gestionnaire des bénévoles dans l’éducation et LectureOttawa au 613-828-6274 poste 135 ou par courriel lnewman@ocri.ca.