Cruise for a Lifetime
First annual "Cruise for a Lifetime" a big success
By Dolores Valero, Membership Chair
Friends and members of LNO spent a glorious evening cruising the Ottawa River on Thursday, September 18th on LNO's first ever fundraising event, "Cruise for a Lifetime" sponsored by Waste Management of Canada Corporation. And fundraise we did! The event raised an amazing $15,000 for Lifetime Networks Ottawa!
Captain's mates, Ildiko Fejes, Marika Smart and Paul Knoll were on deck to welcome us aboard as we set sail from the Hull Marina at Jacques Cartier Park on a boat very generously donated by Paul's Boat Lines.
It may have been a cool evening outside, but on board the ship, Ottawa Blues Lady, Maria Hawkins and Friends, helped by enthusiastic participants, kept the atmosphere warm and jumping! Master of Ceremonies, CTV Ottawa weatherman J.J. Clarke, helped to entertain the crowd and Krackers Katering provided a delicious buffet.
Music, food and dancing weren't the only highlights. LNO Board President Julie Fejes and her husband, Board Treasurer, Kalman Fejes, were presented the Lifetime Networks Ottawa: Lifetime Achievement Award. The couple was honoured for the tireless commitment and hard work that have had a direct impact on LNO's success!
The city of Ottawa provided a spectacular backdrop for this magical cruise. We gazed at familiar landmarks like the illuminated Parliament Buildings, the National Gallery and the Museum of Civilisation in new appreciation as we saw them from the perspective of the river. A perfect, full, harvest moon was the final touch as we glided by the dark, forested shores of the river.
The "Cruise for a Lifetime" would not have been a success without the generosity of our sponsors. A big thank you to Waste Management of Canada Corporation, Paul's Boat Lines, Kanata Toyota, Goldie Mohr Ltd., Medhem Electric, Landstorm Contracting Ltd., McNeely's Outdoor Power Equipment, CA Bruce Insurance, Calian, Morris Home Team, Terry Sarrazin, Kathie Donovan, Penny & Tom Ringland, Mel Robertson, The Ottawa Citizen, CTV Ottawa, TC Sports Marketing, Fred Smart, Marika Smart and H'Art of Ottawa. As well, the dozens of corporate and individual donations that helped to make our raffle, silent and live auctions a success.
All of us at LNO are extremely grateful to LNO Board Member, Catherine Lathem of CTV Ottawa, and her tireless committee consisting of LNO Board Members Kathleen Barnes and Helen Ries as well as Sandra Wallace, Annie Craig, Virginia Cote and Tracy Robillard.
On board we had special guest, Al Etmanski from Vancouver, one of the founders of PLAN Many members of LNO were happy to have the opportunity to meet Al, who, with his co-founders, first conceived the idea of networks of friends to ensure a safe and secure future for our loved ones with disabilities.
All of those who were fortunate enough to get a ticket to this sold-out affair pronounced it a highly successful event. As we disembarked, we received a parting gift consisting of a lovely rose, donated by Carleton Growers, and information about Lifetime Networks Ottawa, a lovely, thoughtful touch from the organizing committee thanking us for helping to make the "Cruise for a Lifetime" such a success.
LNO would like to thank everyone who, through their generous contributions, helped to launch this memorable evening and raise $15,000 to help ensure LNO's dream "That no one be left alone."
We hope to see you again the next time!
Boat Cruise - 2008
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