Greg Hebert Rallies Thousands to Raise Money for Cancer Research!!!!

(Vinney, Mel, Greg, Hammer, me)

Our friend Greg Hebert stopped by the studio this week. Greg's voice was heard many times over the years on the BOB FM morning newscasts- and along with his newscaster talents he was the host of 'Business at Night' on our sister station 580 CFRA. Greg has been fighting a rare form of cancer for the past two years. In typical Greg Hebert style, he is taking on this disease the best way he knows how: with utmost strength, a positive attitude, and he is leading an unbelievable charge- gathering the troops to hear his story, then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. And he is telling his story. To everyone. This guy is not feeling sorry for himself. With his beautifull wife Lauren supporting him every step of the way, Greg is helping to raise awareness, which in turn raises thousands of dollars for cancer research. The 'Do It For Dad' Run on June 19th is already over $35,000 richer thanks to 'team greggybear'. (Greggybear is the affectionate nick-name for Greg...say 'Greg Hebert' out loud a few times and you'll see why) Greg is also the honorary co-captain of the 'Celebrity VIP Team' that has a goal of another $25,000. Please consider a donation towards the research that is so desperately needed to kick cancer to the curb. www.ottawacancer.ca (with links to the 'Alterna Do It for Dad' event) Cancer touches so many lives and there are so many great stories of triumph. The optimism is free, the science costs money. Greg Hebert is our hero. In the weeks ahead on 'Bob's Breakfast', we pledge to help Greg spread the word. Please join us.

Karma in the North!

This past Friday to Sunday was a life-changing experience for me. Eleven of us journeyed to Pond Inlet on the north-eastern shore of Baffin Island, Nunuvut, to deliver donations of hockey gear to the kids in this tiny Inuit community. The organization 'Project North' (projectnorth.ca) was co-founded by Ottawa's own Michelle Valberg, a world-class photographer who's passion for Canada's north is second to none. In fact, she currently has a wonderful photography exhibit at the Museum of Nature called 'Arctic Kaleidoscope' (www.nature.ca) Although it may not seem possible, her heart is just as big as her yearning for all things 'arctic', and "Project North' was born. After several trips to Canada's north, Michelle saw that the Inuit children had a basic need for sports equipment; skates and hockey sticks and clothing and all those good things that our children take for granted- it is all in very short supply in these remote communities. Requests for donations of these items (and cash!) were answered by the citizens of Ottawa, and the National Hockey League Dreams and Goals fund also stepped in. Big time. First Air were one of the first major sponsors, ensuring that those donations were tucked away on northern-bound planes. After a full day of experiencing the stunning landscape that is Pond Inlet, we were all invited to a frozen pond where a flat-bed pick-up truck became an impromptu stage. Hundreds of residents gathered around as Michelle thanked the Project North sponsors: First Air, Matthew Langen of the NHLPA, Scotiabank, Kott North (an Ottawa builder dedicated to building sturdy homes in Canada's north), Dymon Self Storage, and an army of supporters. $25,000 worth of hockey gear from the NHLPA was then put to the test. From the Colorado Avalanche, Kyle Quincy laced up his skates and a spirited hockey game began. Seeing the Inuit kids hustle up and down the ice in their new gear was a sight I will never forget. Karma is a beautiful thing and it was everywhere that day. More Project North trips are being planned, once donation goals are reached. Please consider the gift of team spirit for our Canadian kids up north, and look into projectnorth.ca
A special thanks too- for David Reid of Polar Sea Adventures. (www.polarseaadventures.com) Words can't describe how incredible it is to journey over a frozen sea, climb an iceberg the size of a mountain, feel tiny next to towering hoo doos or tuck into a sled pulled by majestic blue-eyed dogs. I strongly urge you to experience Canada's north. It truly makes you feel alive. And David Reid is the man to guide you through it all.
Thanks to my amazing troupe, Michelle, Kyle, Matt, Ryan, Jeff, Karen, Dennis, Dorothy, Kelly, and Sylvain Renaud the amazing videographer (Reno Video Productions) who spent most of the time dangling from something just to get the perfect footage. Whew! What a ride!!
p.s. thanks again to Dana Hall and the kids at Queen Elizabeth School in Ottawa- for your kind letters & drawings to the kids in Pond Inlet. And yes, my -100F rated Sorel boots did the job!

Big Hearts at Queen Elizabeth School!

Project North Vlog #1 April 13th, 2011 from Reno Video Productions on Vimeo.

Help! BBQ Needed for Tyler Huneault Garage Sale!

Our good friend Tyler Huneault (pictured above with rocker Lucas Rossi) has a rare disease called 'sialidosis'. Tyler is once again raising money for sialidosis research, with a gigantic garage sale this Saturday! Do you have a BBQ that you can donate for the day? If so, please contact Grant, all details below! thank you!

Tyler Huneault's Garage Sale

Why: to raise for Silaldosis research
Where; Franco O'uest (Bells Corners)
When: 9:30 to 4:00
Who: contact Grant Viau
O.613-580-2424 x 27822
H.613-599-9769
C.613-762-9697

Baffin Island Here We Come!

Pictured here: some of the 'Project North' group, at Dymon Self Storage on Innes Road preparing for this Friday's trip to deliver sports gear to Pond Inlet, Baffin Island. We packed skates, hockey sticks, jerseys, you name it- donated by the NHLPA and with the support of so many sponsors (including Dymon, who provided all the space needed to stuff hockey bags!) This Friday, we fly First Air (hands down the most customer-oriented airline I have ever experienced!), touching down in Pond Inlet and a balmy average temperature of - 29 degrees! We are so looking forward to the faces of the Inuit kids as we present them with sports gear that they will enjoy with their families for years to come. To donate to 'Project North', please go to www.projectnorth.ca

'A' Morning at the New Ottawa Humane Society!

Exciting times! The new Ottawa Humane Society is set to open in May (located on Hunt Club between Merivale and Prince of Wales)! Our good friends at 'A' Morning broadcast live outside the building yesterday morning! On hand to present a whopping $11,000 donation to the Ottawa Humane Society was Frank Napolitano, York Polk, Michael Hapke and Jeff Cody from MortgageBrokersOttawa.com! 'A' Morning's Kurt Stoodley and Bill Wylechka chatted with several Humane Society supporters, and featured so many 'good news' stories that included our four legged friends. My own Hudson (adopted from the Humane Society 14 years ago) was rather patient while on television, but was definitely more interested in the Tim Hortons donuts.
Susan Gray and her beagle Portia were on hand to chat about a new upcoming fundraiser, called 'In the Doghouse'...where you can enjoy an evening of delectable foods and wines in the new shelter, just before the animals move in! Oh yeah, and there will be a number of local personalities 'in the doghouse' that night, needing some help to get 'sprung'...all details here:

http://www.ottawahumane.ca/breakingground/doghouse/doghouse_index.htm

Have you seen Samantha McIntosh?

Samantha McIntosh, 15yrs old, 5' 2", approx 155lbs, dropped off at her west end high school at 8:15 am March 22nd and hasn't been heard from since.

Samantha has a history of mental health challenges and has run away before, but never for this long. If you see her, please contact the police. PLEASE HELP US FIND HER.

New Bob's Breakfast!