Saturday was a fabulous day for NSC. We held the 17th annual Ottawa Easter Seals Regatta and our 6th Bring on the Bay Swim. Over $65,000 was raised to benefit Easter Seals Ontario, thanks to the contributions of hundreds of volunteers and our sponsors (especially our wonderful swim sponsor, Bushtukah). These results are FANTASTIC!!! Thank you members!!!!
In addition to our impressive financial contribution, this day gave over 25 Easter Seals families and those that volunteered an unforgettable experience. Our club hosted over 100 Easter Seals family members to a fun sail with an NSC skipper, a wild water fight, a crazy pirate, and a great BBQ lunch, graciously served and sponsored by Century 21. Thank you to all the members that donated their time and their boats to host an Easter Seals family. I know many of you tell me that you look forward to this day each year. You should know that the parents feel the same way; one mom that I spoke to said that the event was even more fun this year than ever before. After 17 years, for someone to be able to say that, is a testament to you, our fabulous club members.
The regatta day ended with a beautiful Luau featuring an incredible dinner by the NSC Galley, some inspiring words by our city councillor, Mark Taylor, and was topped off by a night of dancing to a rocking good band, the River City Junction. A special thanks to Josh and Laurie who donate their dinner proceeds to Easter Seals Ontario; these 2 people contribute so much to our club…please do thank them when you see them. I did pass on our club’s thanks to River City Junction who had this to say about the night: “Thanks Karen, I’m glad you enjoyed the music, I know we had a great time playing for all you wonderful folks, and look forward to playing this benefit every year. It warms my heart to think that maybe, just maybe, we can help make the lives of these children and their families a little easier.” What a fantastic group of people…and pretty darn fine musicians, too!
Bring on the Bay Swim:
Under ideal conditions, 466 swimmers crossed Britannia Bay from the Nepean Sailing Club to the Britannia Yacht Club. Incredibly, this event grows and doubles each year! Thanks to Richard Pessah, Patti Slaunwhite and Parke Davis for their tireless efforts to organize and run what was, for a few hours, the biggest open water swim in Canada! Not to mention, an incredible fundraiser for Easter Seals Ontario. Lots more to come but for now, check out these fabulous photos.
Thanks to everyone that volunteered and participated in the Easter Seals Regatta and Bring on the Bay Swim.
Karen Wright
Easter Seals Chairperson
