THANKS TO OSCA VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

BY BRENDA LEE

t takes a village to raise a child...and it takes volunteers to help run a community. On April 1, OSCA volunteers and staff were offered praise, admiration and thanks at OSCA's annual volunteer/staff appreciation dinner.

Approximately one hundred and twenty people took part in the cocktail hour provided by OSCA and the following potluck dinner. There was a wonderful feeling of community spirit at the Firehall, with balloons provided by Boomerang Kids, children running about wearing the jester hats they had made in the craft room, an ample assortment of food and beverages, an extremely decadent cake provided by Inez Berg and people milling about chatting with old friends and making new ones.

People were entertained during the cocktail hour by the local band Neighbourhood Noise. After dinner, magician Chris Pilsworth entertained both children and adults with his blend of humour and illusion. He even stayed around to answer the many questions of the budding magicians in the crowd. For those not watching the magic show, the Firehall staff kept them entertained with their inventive efforts to pop the balloons that had escaped to the ceiling.

All in all it was a wonderful evening that reinforced the fact that Ottawa South is a tightly knit community filled with a great group of people who take pride in making this community a better place. Thanks again to the OSCA volunteers and staff, you are greatly admired and appreciated. To inquire about volunteering in Ottawa South please call Deirdre McQuillan at 247-4872. We hope to see you all at next year's dinner.