Run For A New Start | Champions

For the second year running, Elizabeth Gluckstal (pictured here with her fellow 10km OCISO walkers and runners) has been our top “Run for a New Start” fundraiser.

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!

“Our team is composed of enthusiastic Ridgemont High School students who are newcomers to Canada. We are training for the 5km race in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, May 27th.

“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!

“When I arrived in Canada, +5 years ago, OCISO offered me career counseling, a career mentor, many opportunities to volunteer and even a contact for a small job (a student to teach Spanish). All these services that I received for FREE were key at that time when I didn’t have any contacts. Now, I want to use one of the values I learned from Canadians: we can all volunteer for a cause.

“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!

“At the age of 7, I immigrated to Canada, not speaking a word of English or French. The move was stressful for my family and posed immense financial and social stresses. We could not have done it without the help of my uncle who arrived as a refugee several years prior.

“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.”

“OCISO is doing great work for Canadian newcomers.

“Support their Run for a New Start during the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

“The money raised will benefit youth programming.

Go OCISO!”

“Here is why I volunteered my time to coordinate OCISO’s ‘Run for a New Start’ team:

“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!