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Donations wanted! Atlético Ottawa and Odawa Native Friendship Center seeking lightly used soccer equipment
July 27, 2023
Atleti Equal Access Atleti In The Community News Odawa Native Friendship Centre

Atlético Ottawa, in partnership with TELUS, is asking supporters attending this weekend’s clash against Cavalry FC to donate their “lightly used soccer equipment” for organizations like the Odawa Native Friendship Center.

Randy Mayes is the Executive Director of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre (based on St. Laurent Street in downtown Ottawa), an organization that provides a variety of programs to the local indigenous population

Originally from Wiikwemkoong unceded land on Manitoulin Island, Randy’s travels have taken him all over the province “where the native centers were there for me”. From Toronto to Sudbury Randy began giving back to the community before he moved to Ottawa just over two years ago to take up the role of Treasurer at the Friendship Centre before recently taking up the mantle as the Executive Director.

“When I first came on board, it was towards the tail end of the COVID-19 restrictions where everyone was working from home and remotely,” he said. “We kept up our engagement with our community in a virtual manner, whether that was for training, helping each other with art or just getting together.

“Coming out of that, we have put a real focus on positive changes to put Odawa in a strong place around community involvement, engagement and networking, this new programming has allowed us to benefit the community as well as the center itself when it comes to looking for funding and working closely with government initiatives.”

The programs at Odawa range from lifelong care to recreational activities and cultural awareness. Sheridon Baptiste is a program coordinator for the Healthy Living Program and has been an integral part of the Friendship Centres’ community involvement.

“Sheridon goes above and beyond what the program objectives are,” he said. “Healthy Living isn’t just about nutrition it’s about activities and involvement in sports – our gymnasium has been created and secured thanks to Sheridon’s contacts. The community can come here and access a range of equipment as we run initiatives such as ‘the weight loss challenge’ that really engage people whilst doing some good.”

A group of over 30 people from the Odawa Native Friendship Centre will be attending this weekend’s clash against Cavalry FC thanks to TELUS with a short-to-medium-term goal of Atlético Ottawa helping set up soccer programming through Randy and Sheridon’s efforts.

“It’s important for us to be able to expand what we can offer,” Randy explained. “We love the idea of soccer, and the youth that have been invited to the game this weekend are in for a treat. It’s through partnerships like this we can access donations for things like equipment that we don’t have funding for, allowing us to start exploring new programming for our community.”

Odawa Native Friendship is but one of the community organizations that Atlético is seeking to benefit from thanks to your generous donations with one lucky supporter even winning an Apple Watch courtesy of TELUS. Get your tickets by clicking here and don’t forget those donations!