We’ve come a long way since March of last year. The Firehall is now offering summer camps and activities and preparing for Fall programs: in person and online. All of us at OSCA (staff and volunteers) thank you for your support and generosity. Your pledges and contributions have surpassed $85,000.
This summer the majority of our summer camps are outdoors at Windsor Park. Safety remains our top priority and we continue to meet and even exceed Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 recommendations. Our staff to child ratio is 1 to 5. We look forward to seeing you again this summer and fall.
The Green Dreamers are out and about once again! You may have seen a few recently at the Library and the corners of Bank Street and Sunnyside Avenue. Their silent green “tag” is unmistakable. They leave a trail of “loved lots” all along Bank Street and Sunnyside Avenue. And yes, there were a couple of Dreamers sighted at Grosvenor this last week tidying up one of OOS’s rain gardens. In late June another solo Green Dreamer was spotted on the grounds around the Firehall.
The OSCA Board, following a recommendation from its newly created Committee of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), is sending our deepest condolences and sympathies to Indigenous communities as we mourn the remains of children discovered on the sites of Indian Residential Schools.
We were saddened to learn of the many children who died while attending Residential Schools as well as the ongoing impact on the survivors of the horrific system. This recent tragic news highlights the history of shameful mistreatment and cultural genocide, as vividly described by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, sanctioned and funded by the Government of Canada and perpetrated by several religious organizations, which saw Indigenous children forcibly removed from their homes and sent to Residential Schools. We offer our sincerest solidarity as we stand with survivors, their families, and communities.
On Thursday, June 24, 2021, the Enviro Crew will be talking with Seth Klein, author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency.
Southminster Church has placed 215 orange ribbons in the trees along Bank Street to commemorate the lives lost in Indian residential schools.
Ottawa Songwriters Uplifting the Mayfair (OSUM) — Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, 2021 on YouTube (free) and on Zoom (ticketed). Two events of music, a silent auction, and more to raise funds for Mayfair Theatre.
When gyms and recreation facilities closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, many OOS residents returned to or increased our most fundamental form of exercise—walking. In the process, we re-discovered our local neighbourhoods, got to know our neighbours better and found ourselves developing a greater sense of community. Often, we were not alone in our efforts, walking our dogs or alongside a grandchild or friend with whom we shared experiences, frustrations, and sometimes sorrows.
Glebe Collegiate Institute will be holding its ‘Kids 4 Kids’ CHEO drive virtually this year, the fundraiser will run from May 1st to June 22nd 2021. Glebe’s CHEO drive is an annual event run by students and staff at Glebe Collegiate Institute to help raise funds for the CHEO Foundation. Every year, Glebe students organize amazing events and canvas door to door to raise funds for CHEO. Unfortunately, these in person events can’t happen this year, but we will still have plenty of opportunities for you to donate virtually.
April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week. It’s time once again to say “thank you” with a big round of national applause and to recognize you locally for all that you do to enrich our communities. You, by your simple acts of kindness, encourage and nurture trust in people, trust in institutions, a sense of belonging, civic engagement at its best and a socially diverse and inclusive community.
The National Volunteer theme this year is “The Value of One, The Power of Many.” This simple mantra reflects upon the value of individual acts of kindness and how these small generous acts can grow into the power of many working together towards a common purpose.
The Enviro Crew of Old Ottawa South is organizing another plastic bag collection for recycling. This one will kick off on Earth Day (April 22) and you’ll have four days to drop off your bags.
The City of Ottawa’s 2021 Cleaning the Capital Program returns for the spring campaign, from April 15 to May 15. Early registration has begun. To register:
