The sixth annual Partage Beechwood, held Wednesday, Aug. 21, raised an impressive $65,000 to support Partage Vanier, the food bank of the Vanier Community Services Centre. The one-of-a-kind event took place at Beechwood Cemetery, with guests enjoying a multi-course dinner under a canopy of towering trees and surrounded by historic headstones. This year’s success was highlighted by a generous donation of $8,600 from Jacquie LaRocque, CEO and principal of Compass Rose. The stunning table setting, designed by Carole Saad of LouLou Lounge, added a touch of elegance to the evening. Nathalie Carrier, executive director of the Vanier BIA, emphasized the community’s generosity, noting that “everything from the butter to the salt and pepper was donated.” The event continues to be a vital source of support for the most-used food bank in Ontario.
Nathalie Carrier, executive director of the Vanier BIA, and Andrée-Anne Martel, executive director of the Vanier Community Services Centre.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
“In the past 12 months, we have received 14,000 visits,” said Andrée-Anne Martel, executive director of the Vanier Community Services Centre.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Liza Mrak and her brother Michael Mrak of Mark Motors Group, sponsors of the event.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Margaret Dickenson, an award-winning cookbook author and an Ottawa socialite, took a moment to visit her late husband, Larry, who passed away in 2018 and rests in Beechwood Cemetery.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Restaurant e18hteen looked after the multi-course meal, including a grilled octopus dish.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
John Gomes of Royal LePage Real Estate, a sponsor of the event.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Caroline Gosselin, chef David Godsoe and Peter Boole of Restaurant e18hteen.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Singer Rebecca Noelle’s voice danced through the grounds of Beechwood Cemetery.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Jackie Perez of CTV News Ottawa thoughtfully placed an umbrella over the exquisite paper table setting, ensuring guests in that area stayed dry.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Anna Bélanger, owner of Anna Bélanger & Associates, a sponsor of the event, with her partner Robert Roppovalente.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Mathieu Fleury, Cornwall’s chief administrative officer and former Ottawa councillor, with David Gourlay, CEO of the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Caitlin Kealey, CEO at Emdash, with Natasha Commanda, an Algonquin and Ojibway from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg who led the land acknowledgment and is also the owner of FN Clean Water.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Nick McCarthy, director of marketing, communications and community outreach at Beechwood Cemetery, spoke about the cemetery during the unique event.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
Nathalie Nadon graced the dinner with her spectacular voice, serenading the crowd as she performed overlooking the grand family-style table.PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia
