To mark Colonnade BridgePort’s 40th anniversary, we launched the Power of 40, a giving initiative that celebrates four decades of building strong communities. Through employee nominations, 20 charities were selected to each receive a $1,000 donation. Combined with our $20,000 annual commitment to Habitat for Humanity, this program will bring our total charitable giving in 2025 to $40,000.
For the next four weeks, we’ll be sharing five of these charities and the heartfelt stories behind their nominations.
adoptmecatrescue.ca
Nominated by: Wendy
Adopt Me Cat Rescue strengthens communities by rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming at-risk cats, while connecting volunteers, adopters, and supporters through shared compassion. For more than 12 years, the organization has provided medical care, shelter, and rehabilitation to sick, injured, senior, and special-needs cats, and has spayed or neutered over 2,000 animals. Its affordable spay/neuter programs reduce overpopulation and abandonment, while the barn cat program offers safe homes for semi-feral cats, supporting humane pest control and rural communities. The rescue also partners with other organizations to help cats from hoarding situations, filling a vital gap in services across Ottawa and surrounding areas. Entirely volunteer-run, every dollar goes directly toward animal care.
WENDY: I’ve been personally involved with Adopt Me Cat Rescue for several years, fostering numerous cats, including a diabetic cat and a senior cat, both of whom found loving homes. I cover many of their care costs and dedicate my time to socializing and rehabilitating them for adoption. I also donate to fundraising efforts and advocate for the rescue’s mission. Each cat has a story and a spirit of its own, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them heal, trust again, and finally find the families they deserve. It fills my heart knowing I can be part of giving them that second chance.
cheofoundation.com
Nominated by: Maryam
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is a global leader in pediatric health care and research, dedicated to giving every child and youth the best possible life. Through the CHEO Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm, CHEO is reimagining health care to create more accessible, innovative, and compassionate solutions for children and their families.
MARYAM: CHEO is important to me because many children live with disabilities, and their families often struggle to afford the care and equipment they need. Funding helps bridge that gap by providing essentials such as portable lifts, adaptive seats, wheelchair parts, food gift cards, and taxi chits for appointments. With community support, CHEO continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of young patients and those who love them. Every contribution helps ease a family’s burden and gives a child the chance to focus on what truly matters — being a kid.
heroshockey.com
Nominated by: William
Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) is a volunteer-driven charity that teaches life skills and empowers marginalized youth through the game of hockey. HEROS is dedicated to giving children who might not otherwise have access to the sport an opportunity to play, learn, and grow. Beyond hockey, the program focuses on building confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating positive experiences through mentorship, interaction with professional athletes, and community engagement.
WILLIAM: Through its programs, HEROS instills the values of structure, teamwork, work ethic, and fun. From my own experience playing hockey, I know firsthand the lifelong benefits the sport offers, and I believe every child deserves that same opportunity.
mscanada.ca
Nominated by: Jade and Jeff
The MS Society of Canada plays a vital role in funding groundbreaking research, increasing awareness, and providing essential support and hope to individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis. With more than 90,000 Canadians currently living with the disease, and approximately 12 new cases diagnosed every day, the need for continued research and improved access to treatment programs has never been greater. MS most often affects people between the ages of 20 and 49, and women are twice as likely to be diagnosed.
JADE: This cause is deeply personal to me. Growing up, I watched my Nanny suffer from MS, and it profoundly shaped both her life and my childhood with her. For as long as I can remember, she relied first on a cane, then a walker, and eventually a wheelchair. As her condition progressed, she lost the ability to move and even to feed herself, and later developed dementia brought on by MS. Watching someone you love lose their independence piece by piece is heartbreaking.
JEFF: I have a brother who suffers from M.S. and witnessing his journey has given me a deep understanding of the daily challenges this disease brings. I’ve seen his strength, determination, and perseverance in the face of uncertainty, and it had given me a new perspective on resilience and the importance of community support.
scouts.ca
Nominated by: Neil
For over 100 years, Scouts Canada has helped youth develop confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of community through outdoor adventures and meaningful service. From food and clothing drives to shoreline cleanups, Scouts foster civic responsibility and environmental awareness while giving back to communities. Fully co-ed since 1998, Scouts Canada welcomes everyone to the campfire, building lifelong friendships, resilience, and a shared commitment to creating a better Canada.
NEIL: Scouting has had a lifelong impact on me. I joined at age four and remained involved through my mid-20s. As a shy, often-bullied youth, scouting provided a safe, supportive environment where I could grow in confidence and friendship. I even met my wife through the program!
Through national jamborees, I explored new parts of Canada – from Prince Edward Island to Alberta and northern Ontario – experiences that shaped my love of community and adventure. Both my children have participated in Scouting, with my eldest now a volunteer. My wife and I have each volunteered for more than 10 years, and I currently serve as Group Commissioner, overseeing the health and development of our local group, and as Troop Contact Scouter, leading weekly activities for youth aged 11–14.
My family’s Scouting journey reached an incredible milestone in 2023 when three of us travelled to South Korea for the World Scout Jamboree, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that deepened our connection to the global Scouting movement. Like many organizations, Scouting was hit hard by the pandemic. Membership has rebounded, but national donations remain down nearly 50% from 2019, creating real challenges. Despite this, Scouting’s mission – helping youth thrive — is more important than ever.