The Ottawa Gala presents $30,000 to OCRI for School Breakfast Program

Ottawa, September 25, 2006 - The Honourable John Baird of the Treasury Board and representative of the Fund for a New Generation today presented a cheque for $30,000 to OCRI's School Breakfast Program at an event at Agincourt Road Public School. The funds donated represent the proceeds of the 2006 Ottawa Gala which took place this past April.

"OCRI's School Breakfast Program makes a huge difference to children in Ottawa, feeding more than 8,300 children a day," said Minister Baird, Honourary Chair of the 2006 Gala. "In my riding alone there are 19 schools that participate in the Program. I applaud the Fund for a New Generation for their efforts to improve the future of at-risk children in Ottawa."

Each year, the Fund for New Generation - a volunteer group of young professionals - organize the Ottawa Gala, a charitable black-tie event attracting the "who's who" of Ottawa's young professionals. Since 1993 the event has raised over $450,000 for various local initiatives, including OCRI's School Breakfast Program.

"We know that a nutritious breakfast improves concentration, behaviour and self esteem in children," said Jeffrey Dale, President of OCRI. "OCRI would like to see all Ottawa schoolchildren start the day with the same advantages. Generous donations like the one presented here today by the Fund for a New Generation help to make that possible."

On April 1, 2006 more than 900 young professionals attended the Ottawa Gala hold at the Government Conference Centre.

"I'm encouraged by the continued participation of Ottawa's young professionals in this event," said Sarah Lawley, Fund for a New Generation co-Chair. "it is never too early to encourage philanthropy, and the Ottawa Gala is a perfect example of how one young generation can provide for the next. We're looking forward to improving on that success in 2007, as we celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Gala."

The Ottawa Gala receives tremendous support from Ottawa's business community. TELUS was the Platinum sponsor of the 2006 Ottawa Gala. "TELUS is pleased to support the school breakfast program as part of our on-going commitment to make the future friendly for our youth," said Ian Scott, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, TELUS.