Results from the 12th Annual Embassy Dinner

Dear Friends of WaterCan:

We greatly appreciate the efforts and generosity of all those involved with the 12th Annual Embassy Dinner presented by MDS Nordion on May 5th, 2006. The Embassy Dinner is WaterCan's premier fundraising event and, due to the steadfast support of the Ottawa diplomatic community, is also certainly the capital city's most exciting culinary experience. The popularity of the event continues to grow, and this year, for the first time ever, we sold out 3 weeks early !

While exotic eating is certainly the appeal of the event, the ambiance generated when people from a wide variety of backgrounds come together for a common cause holds its magic. After hours (maybe even days) of tallies, invoicing, calculations, and comparisons, we are ready to announce that the 12 th Annual Embassy Dinner raised an amazing $132,000 !

To provide some context for this accomplishment, our gross revenues are up 13% from 2005, and, even with the addition of 10 Embassies and High Commissions to the buffet, we reduced our overall expenses by 5%. Together, this reflects a 29% increase in net profits from 2005. This increase is due in no small part to the generous contributions of our family of corporate sponsors including MDS Nordion, Golder & Associates, Robinson Consultants, Scotiabank and Tersano Inc. Please do support these organizations whenever possible throughout the year.

The Embassy Dinner proceeds will help fund WaterCan's clean water and sanitation projects in Eastern Africa. Your support makes it possible to help over 3,000 people gain access to clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene education which, together, have a tremendous capacity to impact the financial and educational achievements of recipient communities through better health, capacity building, and hope for the future.

A wise man once said, “food is our common ground, a universal experience”. Thank you for being a part this yearly culinary journey. We hope to continue this relationship next year at our 13 th Annual Embassy Dinner, Friday May 4 th , 2007! In the meantime, please do stop by our websiteregularly for project updates, upcoming events and exciting news about our plans for WaterCan's 20 th Anniversary celebrations, beginning January 1 st , 2007.

Thank you for your commitment to WaterCan's vision of “Clean Water for All!”

With kind regards,

Gary H.J. Pluim

Executive Director

P.S. Our photographer Lois Siegel of Lois Siegel Productions took many beautiful and colourful photos at the event and she has generously made them available for viewing and download on her website: http://www.siegelproductions.ca/ottawarocks/embassydinner.htm .

View sponsor information, auction items and other information from the 2006 event.

MEDIA
All media inquiries should be directed to:
Jennifer Davis
Communications and Events Coordinator
613.230.5182 x223