Friday, March 20, 2009, Ottawa – United Way/Centraide Ottawa is helping our community get “Back on Board” now that the transit interruption is over. With help from The Sens Foundation, Ottawa Senators and OC Transpo, United Way/Centraide is creating opportunities for those most affected by the recent interruption in transit services to reconnect with their community through recreational events.
"The Ottawa Senators and The Sens Foundation are pleased to help United Way/Centraide and other community agencies in this initiative,” said Cyril Leeder, Chief Operating Officer, Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Place. “The support of our community is vital to both the hockey club and the foundation, so we are more than happy to help every chance we get.”
“The transit interruption really hindered activity in our community,” said Michael Allen, President and CEO United Way/Centraide Ottawa. “This was certainly the case with the agencies we support, their volunteers and the clients they serve. We saw a challenge that called for leaders in the community to pull together to do something positive and address the problem. With the Ottawa 67’s a couple of weeks ago, and tonight with the Ottawa Senators, we are reconnecting individuals with their community support services while giving them a special night at the hockey game.”
Throughout the regular season, United Way/Centraide has been distributing home game tickets to community agencies thanks to the generosity of the foundation’s Cheer for Charity program and season tickets or premium-seating holders. For Saturday’s game, however, The Sens Foundation is donating 300 tickets for United Way/Centraide to distribute among agencies that help isolated seniors, struggling families and at-risk youth. OC Transpo is providing free transportation and bus drivers are volunteering to drive them to and from the game.
Two weeks ago, United Way/Centraide distributed 500 tickets to an Ottawa 67’s game with help from the Trinity Development Foundation. OC Transpo also provided bus vouchers.
For more information, please contact:
Kate Headley, United Way/Centraide Ottawa
Phone: 613-683-3823 Cell: 613-294-8128
E-mail: kheadley@unitedwayottawa.ca