OTTAWA -- The Christmas Cheer breakfast raised more than $106,000 Friday morning at the Shaw Centre.
The sold-out event was saved in October with the help of Nepean MPP Lisa Macleod after it was abruptly cancelled for the first time in 68 years. MacLeod says Ottawa "Is a generous community and I am so grateful to be part of this and see what our community can do when it rallies together. "
More than 750 guests were in attendance, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Mayor Jim Watson. Watson says, "Lots of companies and individuals and dozens of volunteers came together and what we have here today is a tradition continuing and not stopping in our city."
Christmas Cheer has been running in the city in various forms since 1951. For several decades, it has also run in conjunction with a live funraising brodcast on Newstalk 580 CFRA.
The annual event benefits various local charities every year. Michael Maidment with the Ottawa Food Bank says, "We put that money to work right away, providing Christmas meals, making sure holidays are special for everyone. We help over 30-thousand people with funds we receive from today's breakfast."
On Friday morning, organizers announced Christmas Cheer will happen again next year on Dec. 4 at the Shaw Centre.
