Ottawa Philanthropy Awards to honour outstanding citizens during difficult year

The 26th Annual Ottawa Philanthropy Awards (The Phils) are getting set to celebrate the best of the local charitable sector, by honouring the service, hope and commitment of outstanding community leaders within the context of the ongoing pandemic. 

Despite not being able to hold its gala in person this year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Ottawa Chapter says it is more important than ever to find a way to honour local philanthropists.

“There has perhaps never been a more urgent need and opportunity to celebrate the Phils,” explains Teressa Marques, the board chair of AFP Ottawa and the President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation. “2020, without question, has been a year of trauma and disruption for countless people, and yet, community survives; it continues to fill the gaps; it makes us stronger by bringing us together.”

For Ava Sidoli, 14, the recipient of Outstanding Youth Philanthropist award, her motivation comes from helping her community. After someone told her, “Helping one person might not change the whole world just yet, but it could change the world for one person,” she took the quote to create her motto.

Sidoli and her mom have been fundraising for the Ottawa Food Bank and local families since she was five. Last year, they raised $5,000 and two thousand pounds of food, which allowed her to be honoured with the Phil. This year, their goal is to raise $10,000 and 5,000 pounds of food.

Another notable Phils recipient is owner of Coconut Lagoon and Thali Restaurant Joe Thottungal. He was nominated by Food for Thought Net Cafe for the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award as a result of his volunteer work and community leadership.

“I am humbled and honoured,” Thottungal said. “I have to give it back to the community, they made me as a person and grown-up.”

He volunteers his culinary skills to different charity events like Bon Appétit Savor the Moment, Taste of Glebe, and the Can Go Afar Foundation. 

This year's recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award is Peter Charbonneau. After surviving a battle with cancer in 2000, Charboneau kept a promise he made to his doctor to continue raising funds for cancer.

“I told my doctor, if you keep me alive I will continue fundraising,” Charbonneau recounted. “After that I turn my attention to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation”

Peter Charbonneau first got involved in fundraising during the special Olympics in 2000 for his brother with down-syndrome.

The full list of this year's Outstanding Ottawa Philanthropists will be presented during the 2020 Ottawa Philanthropy Awards on Tuesday November 10, at 7 p.m. on Rogers TV. 

The broadcast will be hosted by 1310 NEWS host Sam Laprade.