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At the Somerset and Percy intersection, the faint smell of smoke and sobering sight of charred debris lingers after a four-alarm fire believed to be caused by tarring work on the roof ravaged the corner on Oct. 21.
Four staple businesses frequented by Ottawa residents for years – Middle East Bakery, Shiraz Food Market, The Daily Grind and A Dark Cloud tattoo parlour – were all rendered to rubble amid the $1-million blaze, along with the multi-unit apartment complex that sat atop them.
Whether by way of an intimate late-night punk show, a piece of fresh spicy cheese pita bread, or a beautiful piece of art adorning one’s arm, many of us have enjoyed these great local businesses at some point during our Ottawa lives. To see all of them go so suddenly left many of us with a heart wrenching lump in our throats.
Fortunately when tragedy befalls our modest, tight-knit community here in Centretown, people band together to help. A number of concerned and compassionate folks who call this neighbourhood home have been quick to step up and cultivate a number of creative methods to support our downtrodden neighbours.
In case you needed another excuse to love this city, here are some of the ways downtown Ottawa is working together to help the victims of the Somerset fire
Good old-fashioned crowdfunding
A number of fundraising campaigns have cropped up online since the fire. The Somerset St. Fire Victim Fund can be found on Go Fund Me. It has generated over $4,300 by more than 90 donors so far.
Free community potluck ? Kind Space, Oct. 21
Held on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Kind Space (a centre formerly known as Pink Triangle Services, dedicated to providing “a diverse, protective and non-judgmental environment” for Ottawa’s queer community and allies), Helvetica Bold organized a free community potluck and clothing drive – billed as “an opportunity for Centretown residents to come together to support (our) neighbours in this time of need.”
Free home-cooked food and tea and coffee were served for all those passing through, and by the evening’s end there were dozens of Tupperware containers, cans and boxes of food, clothing items, kitchenware, personal care items and more piled throughout the room for those impacted to take away with them.
ONE BIG BENEFIT ? Babylon Nightclub, Nov. 5
Jeff Fennell of Busted Limb has organized a massive party “to bring people together and show what (Ottawa) is made of” this Thursday, Nov. 5 at Babylon Nightclub. ONE BIG BENEFIT has already drawn more than 400 attendees to its Facebook event, and promises to generate plenty of funds to support the residents and businesses who’ve found themselves downtrodden after this tragic fire. The event will also be collecting furniture, household items, clothing and various vouchers to help these neighbours get back on their feet.
Two local DJs will be performing and some great local businesses are providing their skills and products to be raffled off throughout the night. Judging by the buzz this event is generating online and around town, there seems to be a huge outpouring of support from businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians and more. Local artists and comedians have offered to perform free sets, hotels have offered free stays, restaurants have offered free food, and much more. Guests can expect a fascinating medley of talent.
TOMORROW’S GRIND ? Dundonald Park, Nov. 8
This Sunday the neighbourhood is invited to come out of the woodwork for a free concert, treats and warm drinks, a clothing and bottle drive, a bake sale, face painting and more for Tomorrow’s Grind: a fundraiser for all businesses and residents impacted by the Somerset fire. This event has been generously organized by Katie Bourque, with help from Somerset Ward City Councillor Catherine McKenney.
Shaun Sullivan, Ryan Fitz, Amanda Lowe, Tara Don and King Timbit are some of the local acts billed to perform at this free community event, and families of all ages are welcome to attend and participate. You can check out the event page on Facebook.
Jenn Jefferys is a communications consultant and columnist for The Hill Times. She is a former staffer with the federal NDP. You can reach her at jenn.jefferys@gmail.com or on Twtter at @jennjefferys.
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Four staple businesses frequented by Ottawa residents for years – Middle East Bakery, Shiraz Food Market, The Daily Grind and A Dark Cloud tattoo parlour – were all rendered to rubble amid the $1-million blaze, along with the multi-unit apartment complex that sat atop them.
Whether by way of an intimate late-night punk show, a piece of fresh spicy cheese pita bread, or a beautiful piece of art adorning one’s arm, many of us have enjoyed these great local businesses at some point during our Ottawa lives. To see all of them go so suddenly left many of us with a heart wrenching lump in our throats.
Fortunately when tragedy befalls our modest, tight-knit community here in Centretown, people band together to help. A number of concerned and compassionate folks who call this neighbourhood home have been quick to step up and cultivate a number of creative methods to support our downtrodden neighbours.
In case you needed another excuse to love this city, here are some of the ways downtown Ottawa is working together to help the victims of the Somerset fire
Good old-fashioned crowdfunding
A number of fundraising campaigns have cropped up online since the fire. The Somerset St. Fire Victim Fund can be found on Go Fund Me. It has generated over $4,300 by more than 90 donors so far.
Free community potluck ? Kind Space, Oct. 21
Held on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Kind Space (a centre formerly known as Pink Triangle Services, dedicated to providing “a diverse, protective and non-judgmental environment” for Ottawa’s queer community and allies), Helvetica Bold organized a free community potluck and clothing drive – billed as “an opportunity for Centretown residents to come together to support (our) neighbours in this time of need.”
Free home-cooked food and tea and coffee were served for all those passing through, and by the evening’s end there were dozens of Tupperware containers, cans and boxes of food, clothing items, kitchenware, personal care items and more piled throughout the room for those impacted to take away with them.
ONE BIG BENEFIT ? Babylon Nightclub, Nov. 5
Jeff Fennell of Busted Limb has organized a massive party “to bring people together and show what (Ottawa) is made of” this Thursday, Nov. 5 at Babylon Nightclub. ONE BIG BENEFIT has already drawn more than 400 attendees to its Facebook event, and promises to generate plenty of funds to support the residents and businesses who’ve found themselves downtrodden after this tragic fire. The event will also be collecting furniture, household items, clothing and various vouchers to help these neighbours get back on their feet.
Two local DJs will be performing and some great local businesses are providing their skills and products to be raffled off throughout the night. Judging by the buzz this event is generating online and around town, there seems to be a huge outpouring of support from businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians and more. Local artists and comedians have offered to perform free sets, hotels have offered free stays, restaurants have offered free food, and much more. Guests can expect a fascinating medley of talent.
TOMORROW’S GRIND ? Dundonald Park, Nov. 8
This Sunday the neighbourhood is invited to come out of the woodwork for a free concert, treats and warm drinks, a clothing and bottle drive, a bake sale, face painting and more for Tomorrow’s Grind: a fundraiser for all businesses and residents impacted by the Somerset fire. This event has been generously organized by Katie Bourque, with help from Somerset Ward City Councillor Catherine McKenney.
Shaun Sullivan, Ryan Fitz, Amanda Lowe, Tara Don and King Timbit are some of the local acts billed to perform at this free community event, and families of all ages are welcome to attend and participate. You can check out the event page on Facebook.
Jenn Jefferys is a communications consultant and columnist for The Hill Times. She is a former staffer with the federal NDP. You can reach her at jenn.jefferys@gmail.com or on Twtter at @jennjefferys.
查看原文...
