Community News - Ottawa Accounting Firms Celebrate the Season of Giving

Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit more than hearing about the charity work and donations that Ottawa’s accounting firms undertake for the holidays. Due to the pandemic, and now with rampant inflation, these types of initiatives are more important than ever. So, this year, we’ve profiled four Ottawa accounting firms who go all out to celebrate the season of giving.

Andrews & Co. embrace their inner child

For several years, the team at Andrews & Co. have donated toys to the Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain and the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre’s Angel Tree Program. Staff have fun shopping for something that speaks to their inner child, and they put their donations under the tree in the lobby until delivery day. Since the donations are not cash, they forfeit the almighty tax receipt. But – for a few days a year – they’re comfortable making decisions that don’t optimize taxes.  

Hendry Warren helps with hampers

For about eight years, Hendry Warren has assisted The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa in delivering hampers with turkeys and gift cards to 400 families, reaching about 1,400 individuals. The Hendry Warren team helps with the fundraising initiative and delivering the hampers. In addition, the firm underwrites the operating costs of the project, including the truck rental, 400 roasting pans, and other supplies, so that 100% of donations go to the families in need.

Hendry Warren also participates in the Angel Tree program for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. Last year, the team exceeded their goal by collecting 52 gifts.

Logan Katz competes for their cause

Logan Katz has been collecting donations for the Ottawa Food Bank for at least the past five years. Their office space includes two suites, 105 and 104, and the staff from each compete to see which suite can accumulate the most food donations by the deadline. Bragging rights go to the winners! By the time the competition is over, the firm usually needs a dolly to deliver all the food.

The firm also participates, with a twist, in The Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain. They gather for a potluck and play Secret Santa. The gifts they give each other are symbolic of the recipient, but ultimately get donated to the children. For example, one year Stacy Glenn gifted David Logan an Optimus Prime transformer to signify David’s leadership and strong moral character. Both David and the child who ultimately received the transformer were no doubt thrilled.  

McCay Duff performs random acts of kindness

Last year McCay Duff decided to celebrate its 75th anniversary by performing 75 random acts of kindness. Ahead of the holiday season, the firm learned that the Children’s Aid Society doesn’t receive many gifts for older children. So, McCay Duff donated 15 new Amazon Fire Tablet HD8s to make sure that the kids between 11 and 15 didn’t get left out.

The firm’s 75th Anniversary Committee then keyed-in on senior citizens, a demographic that has endured great hardship during the pandemic and is rarely the focus of holiday initiatives. McCay Duff sponsored a Tim Horton’s cart to travel through a care facility in Winchester, where one of their senior manager’s father resides. The Tim Horton’s cart gave residents the experience of going out for a coffee with friends, even though the pandemic prevented residents from leaving the facility at the time.

Despite this year not being a special anniversary, McCay Duff continues their kindness-streak this holiday season by once again donating to the Children’s Aid Society.

Putting a bow on it

These are just a few of the firms that give back to the community during the holiday season. GGFL, McIntyre & Associates, and Secker Ross & Perry all collect donations for the Food Bank and BDO participates in the Trees of Hope for CHEO.

It’s amazing to see the joint impact that Ottawa’s accounting firms have on the community during the holiday season. Cheers to all those who participate in these activities and the people who led the specific initiatives above: Ashely Mouland of Andrews & Co.; Robin Lawrence and Ian Hendry of Hendry Warren; Stacy Glenn and the Logan Katz Events Committee; and April Wheeler, Adam Brisson, and the McCay Duff 75th Anniversary Committee.

Have a wonderful holiday season!