What is Pay it Forward?
Pay it Forward is a CAS Ottawa staff-driven fundraiser for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa created by kinship social workers, Evangeline Ellicott and Debra Webber in 2020. Money raised will be invested in the full potential of the children and youth supported by the Society and the awesome staff like you, through areas such as: Education (bursaries, psych eds, tutoring), Youth Transition Programs (housing, medical, mental health supports), Sports/Recreation Activities, as well as Basic Necessities (beds, clothing), and so much more!
The Pay it Forward title of this fundraiser captures the essence that our kids are not a charity to be gazed upon from up high but rather filled with untold potential for good with a little investment from our community. Our kids take kindness and pay it forward in remarkable ways that make the world a better place. The purpose of this event is not only to raise money for our kids, but to showcase our hearts to the community, to the families we serve, and to eachother. Our caring goes beyond the job!
Ways to Participate
The 6th annual edition of this staff-driven fundraiser will have the support of the Society’s After-Hours Service! That means you can participate fully in the event while our AHS are on standby to serve our families. Thank you, AHS Workers!!!!! This support will free up the full power of our staff group to make a big positive difference for our kids! It is time to make a plan for how to get involved.
- First and foremost is establishing fundraising teams who will raise money and put their feet on the trail!
- Second, we need volunteers who will set up a creative water station along the route to cheer and support the fundraising participants.
- Third, we need people to donate prizes for the event. In other years we had thoughtful prizes, such as homemade items (a fancy cake, a painting, a gift basket, indigenous jewelry). If you have a talent you want to share by way of a prize, let us know!
- Finally, we need cheerleaders! The more people to cheer along the route the more visibility and fun we will have! We encourage everyone to wear purple!
The Details
When: Friday, September 18, 2026
Where: The anchor points of the event will be Andrew Haydon Park and Deschênes Rapids Lookout https://maps.app.goo.gl/m4pcQfCDGbZuigGu8 and https://maps.app.goo.gl/36HvTf3KoTHZMvpN8
Time: 1 to 4 PM
How: The route is 5km between the 2 anchor points of Andrew Haydon Park and Deschênes Rapids Lookout.
Options to complete the route are:
- 5km - Deschênes Rapids to Andrew Haydon
- 10km - Andrew Haydon to Deschênes Rapids, return to Andrew Haydon
- 20km - Andrew Haydon to Deschênes Rapids, return twice to Andrew Haydon
5km walking will take about an hour, 5km cycling will take about 15 minutes.
If you choose to get on your bike, you will be flying past your colleagues who are walking, please cheer them on or stop and say hello!
Water Stations: There will be water and snack stations along the route to stop for a break and say hello to some friends! You will find these stations at:
Finish Line: The finish line will be at Andrew Haydon Park. Participants will be crossing between 3 and 4 PM https://maps.app.goo.gl/m4pcQfCDGbZuigGu8
Facebook Page: The best place to get the latest updates, photos, and videos will be on Facebook. We have set up a public page where you can keep up to date, post encouraging comments, and slap likes on your favourite photos! Here is the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/546886886581160/?ref=share
Dress Purple: Purple is our proud colour, and we will be flashing it with pride! You can go as conservative or outrageous as you like!
Keep Warm: The Ottawa River can be chilly this time of year, so bundle up! We roll for our kids come rain, sleet, hail, or snow! We can face this adversity in their honour because that is who we are!!! Our love for our kids is purple, and it can warm the whole city of Ottawa!
Questions or want to help? Contact Evangeline Ellicott or Debra Webber from The Kinship Team