Here are some of OCISO’s “Run for a New Start” Champions – Read about their stories below

As Elizabeth mentioned on her fundraising page, a special anniversary helped her this year:
“Thanks to so many generous sponsors, I raised $1600 last year. I am hoping to top that this year, as I turn 65!”
And top it she did, having raised up til now an amazing $2,415 in support of OCISO’s work with immigrant and refugee youth.
Ever modest, Elizabeth mentioned that “I have very generous friends and family.”
Thanks Elizabeth for reaching out to your family and friends, and thanks to all your sponsors too, for going the distance for refugees and immigrants in Ottawa!
She did this with an amazing Facebook campaign that successfully brought in a record 58 supporters!
She’s written a blog about this:
“You all know it’s hard to ask people for money. And on behalf of all fundraisers out there, I’d like to clarify one point.- the hardship that surrounds the very act of asking people for money…..it involves breaking through our comfort zones.”
Recommended reading for anyone who has struggled with their fundraising.
https://pilotyourlifewithpetmic.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/break-through-your-comfort-zone/

“Our team is fundraising for OCISO (the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) whose programs assist refugees and immigrants settling in Ottawa.
“Please help us reach our fundraising goal. Thanks for your support, and for making newcomers to Canada feel welcome in our community!”
NB: Ridgemont has raised over $500 for OCISO!

“Our team is fundraising for the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization which assists refugees and immigrants settling in Ottawa. Please support our initiative and help us meet our fundraising goal!”
NB: St Thomas More has raised over $600 for OCISO!

“This will be my first ‘race’ and I won´t even run! I will walk 10K to fundraise for OCISO. To fellow OCISO beneficiaries, now is the perfect time to give back: register to walk! Register to walk 5K for OCISO. That’s something we can all do! And if that’s not challenging enough, you can walk 10K with me and (1) help, (2) get fit and (3) have fun.”
NB: Maryrossie has raised over $500 for OCISO!

“Supporting Diversity and Inclusion programs is important to us both as individuals and employees of a company that is committed to this value.
“We are grateful for every dollar raised by SurveyMonkey employees, and the company will match us dollar for dollar!
“Please help us reach our fundraising goal. Thanks for your support, and for making newcomers to Canada feel welcome in our community!”
NB: together with the matching corporate donation, the SurveyMonkey team has raised over $4,000!

“When I heard about OCISO, I knew I wanted to help out. I feel that the aid this organization provides to the many newcomers is essential to healthy integration and makes a world of difference. I am immensely proud at how successful and happy my family and I are now and I wish that upon every immigrant and refugee.”

“I am very proud to have worked closely with Syrian newcomers as the City’s Special Liaison for Refugee Resettlement, so this is an issue very dear to my heart and I am happy to run with OCISO for the 5K race.
“Please support the Run for a New Start team and join OCISO in making newcomers to Canada welcome in our city!”

“Support their Run for a New Start during the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.
“The money raised will benefit youth programming.
Go OCISO!”

– first, I contributed to a worthy cause; and
– second, it was my first time to participate in the Ottawa Marathon, by completing the 5km race.
“It was such a great feeling and I am doing it again this year.”
“In 2015, when I had completed 35 years working in international development, I was looking for a way that I could make a contribution right here in Canada, and I found a perfect fit with OCISO’s values, mission and programs.
“My overseas work took me to many different localities in Africa and Asia, many different cultures, religions, languages – and I so enjoyed being part of a larger movement that respects human diversity and seeks to build bridges between peoples. A movement that is even more essential to our human survival, given the world we live in today.”
NB: David raised over $2000 for OCISO!