The 8th annual Metcalfe Kids Playing it Forward for Wishes Presented by Innovapost took place this past Sunday (July 26) at Metcalfe Golf Club. The event is family oriented and featured 3, 5 & 9 hole golf options of along with a Fun Day. The event brought in families from all over the community for a fun filled day that raises funds for children in the Metcalfe and Ottawa community. This year’s event presented by Innovopost raised a record $40,000 for Make-A-Wish® Eastern Ontario a local non-profit that grants the wishes to children suffering with life-threatening medical conditions. The money will be enough to fill 4 adopt Wishes for children in our community.
From 2008 to 2014 the event raised a total of $43,500, including $11,000 in 2014. After the success of 2014, event organizers Rob Howell, from Metcalfe Golf Club and Mike Wlotzki from Make-A-Wish® Eastern Ontario set out to make 2015 even bigger. A huge step was the involvement of Innovapost led by Marty Thompson. Innovapost who was previously involved with the Make a Wish Walk/Run and Rope For Hope, committed staff time and sponsorship dollars to set up a Fun Day component in addition to the golf tournament. Another key component to the growth of the 2015 event was the establishment of an Agent of Change Committee (AOC) of individuals who want to make a difference. AOC members took on such roles as selling sponsorship, creating events for the Fun Day and other important tasks.
120 people participated in the golf events and an additional 50 enjoyed the Fun Day & BBQ which featured a rock climbing wall, bouncy castles & slides, Little Ray’s Reptiles, a Fire truck and ambulance, a Gum Ball guessing contest courtesy of Fix Auto Gloucester, a BBQ draw courtesy of Barry’s Home Hardware, the Ottawa Champions Mascot and more. The day wrapped up with a BBQ for all 170 participants, a talk to the kids about the pay it forward message and the cheque presentation.
Rob Howell from Metcalfe Golf kicked off the speeches and provided a brief history of the event and thanked participants and sponsors. “We are thrilled with the growth of this event and cannot wait to get started in the 2016 event. It fits perfectly with what Metcalfe Golf believes in.” said Howell.
Marty Thompson from Innovapost followed Howell and comment on the success of the Fun Day. “I would like to give a shout out the all of the volunteers and businesses that supported the Fun Day activities” said Marty Thompson, from Innovapost. “Innovapost was thrilled to be involved and we are very happy with the show we put on.”
A key component to the event is the pay it forward message the kids get to learn. This message was delivered by Mike Wlotzki from Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario. “It is great to have Kids paying things forward and helping other kids,” said Wlotzki. “Kids and parents by playing today you have truly made a difference in others lives.” Wlotzki also extended and invitation to those in attendance who would like to join the playing it forward vision and become and agent of change to contact him at 613-720-3611.
Believe it or not Metcalfe Golf, Innovapost, Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario have their eyes set on an even bigger event, Fun Day and even more money raised in 2016. “I think we are on the verge of something huge”, says Howell. “We hope to see a lot more families on July 24th, 2016!!!
