Senators Community Foundation board member Olivia Melnyk gained a whole new appreciation for the School Breakfast Program after she and her sister, Anna Melnyk, recently visited a local school to see the initiative in action.

“It was incredible to watch,” said Olivia, who was at Friday night’s Spark Soirée, held at the Infinity Convention Centre in support of the grassroots program run by Ottawa Network for Education. Since the passing of their father, former Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, Olivia and Anna have remained involved with the team as minority owners under new majority owner Michael Andlauer.

While Olivia knew about the Ottawa Network for Education program and was aware of the stats — more than 22,000 healthy meals and snacks served daily to children across all four Ottawa public school boards — she now sees the program in a whole new light. “It didn’t really click how much work goes into it until we saw it for ourselves,” she said. “It was very inspiring to be there and see the tangible work being done.”

The Spark Soirée drew leaders in business, community and education together to raise enough money that will help provide nearly 55,000 healthy and nutritious breakfast meals for students who might otherwise start their day with empty stomachs. The gala was co-emceed by radio broadcaster and professional fundraiser Sam Laprade and 19-year-old Jamie Scott, a student of uOttawa’s Telfer School of Management program.

Returning as the presenting sponsor for its third year was professional services firm TAAG, represented by Andrej Litvinjenko and Bill Ayaad.

From left, ONFE board member Neil Schwartz, partner at Mann Lawyers, ONFE president and CEO Heather Norris, ONFE board chair Julie Beauchamp from Algonquin College and Andrej Litvinjenko from presenting sponsor TAAG, at the Spark Soirée held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Senators Community Foundation offered to match all funds raised in the room that night up to $10,000. As well, the Melnyk sisters helped raise a further $3,100 as the highest bidders on a pair of tickets to an upcoming Lady Gaga concert, paying double the tickets’ value.

“We’re very excited to be able to support ONFE, knowing how much of a difference the program is making in the Ottawa area,” said Olivia, while adding that she and her sister are equally proud to channel their support through the Senators Community Foundation, also represented at the gala by its president, Jacqueline Belsito.

It was during last year’s Melnyk Skate for Kids event at Canadian Tire Centre that the Melnyk sisters first met Mitch Miller, ONFE’s director of advancement. Their conversation with him led to their interest in learning more about the local School Breakfast Program.

From left, Anna Melnyk, Senators Community Foundation president Jacqueline Belsito and board member Olivia Melnyk at ONFE’s Spark Soirée held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Other supporters included ONFE board chair Julie Beauchamp, who’s senior vice president of academic of Algonquin College, and fellow board member Drew McMillan, president of Ages Group of Companies. Joining him at his dinner table was his boss, Paramount Properties principal Stuart Ages, who has attended the gala for the last several years.

Also on the board is Neil Schwartz, a law partner at Mann Lawyers and a co-owner of Escape Manor. Later in the evening, one of his firm partners, Daniella Sicoli-Zupo, was the big winner of a $2,500 gift card to Howard Jewellers.

Other live auction items included an Ottawa Senators’ home game, enjoyed in the Owners’ Suite and hosted by Anna and Olivia Melnyk, and a brunch hosted by the Swedish ambassador. Sweden has a national school breakfast program.

Mann Lawyers partner Daniella Sicoli-Zupo, seen with her husband Antonio, won the $2,500-gift card to Howard Fine Jewellers during ONFE’s Spark Soirée in support of the School Breakfast Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Stuart Ages, principal at Paramount Properties, and his wife, Leila Ages, at ONFE’s Spark Soirée in support of the School Breakfast Program, with Stacey McMillan, senior manager at KPMG, and her husband, Drew McMillan, who’s president of Ages Group of Companies and sits on the board of ONFE. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sam Laprade, radio broadcaster and professional fundraiser, at ONFE’s Spark Soirée held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Julia Gaabouri, age seven, was seen bidding during the live auction at ONFE’s Spark Soirée, held in support of the School Breakfast Program on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Michael Qaqish, government and stakeholder relations advisor for the president’s office at Algonquin College, and his colleague, Cory Haskins, dean of the school of business and hospitality, at ONFE’s Spark Soirée, held in support of the School Breakfast Program at the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mitch Miller, director of advancement at ONFE, with his daughter, incoming law school student Haley Miller, who volunteered at the Spark Soirée held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025 in support of ONFE’s School Breakfast Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Heather Norris, president and CEO at ONFE, on stage at the organization’s signature Spark Soirée, held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Seated at the Emond Harnden table were, from left to right, Marie Bordeleau, Justin Di Camillo, Estelle Ah-Kiow (Canadian Medical Association), Nageen Yazdani, Marianne Abou-Hamad, Bryan Detchou (Canadian Chamber of Commerce), Phedely Ariste (Gowling WLG), Jennifer Birrell, Patrick Twagirayezu and Devin Brazeau (27Five Digital Marketing) at ONFE’s Spark Soirée held at the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jamie Scott, right, co-emceed the Spark Soirée with Sam Laprade. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, public servant Scott Templeton, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation’s senior manager of communications, Jessie-Lee Wallace, and Ian Keith, independent broker for benefit and pension plans, at the Spark Soirée in support of ONFE’s School Breakfast Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jack Larabie of Jack Larabie Distribution was the successful bidder at ONFE’s Spark Soirée on a brunch hosted by the Swedish ambassador. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Spark Soirée, held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Friday, May 2, 2025 in support of Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE)’s School Breakfast Program, featured a guest panel. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel and RBC.

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