On Monday, prominent Ottawa businessman Peter Nicholson and his spouse, Anabel Bane, welcomed guests to an intimate evening at their Rockcliffe Park home for ABLE2, a nonprofit dedicated to inclusion and support for people with disabilities.

Over the years, the gracious couple has extended the same generosity to other local non-profits, treating donors to live music, an open bar and home-cooked dishes inspired by Anabel’s homeland, the Philippines.

“We find these particular events are a very powerful tool,” said Jeff Todd, WCPD’s vice president of marketing and communications. “We go to all the big events, where it’s easy to get lost in the mix. This evening is about ABLE2. It’s more about focusing on the donors and about the cause.”

ABLE2 hosts its signature fundraiser, Evening in the Maritimes, each May. The East Coast–themed gala features a lobster dinner and plenty of Maritime charm. Committee chair Danielle Demark (RBC Dominion Securities) and former honorary chair Jim Kyte, the first legally deaf player in NHL history, were present last night.

WCPD supports the gala by donating a stay at the Grand Isle Resort & Residences in Exuma, Bahamas, owned by Nicholson, a proud Nova Scotian, and Bane. The trip is auctioned off during the event.

Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications for the WCPD Group of Companies, welcomed guests to a private event held in support of ABLE2 on Monday, September 15, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jim Kyte — a champion for accessibility and inclusion — with Evening in the Maritimes chair Danielle Demark and James Bickerton, district vice president of Mackenzie Investments, at a private reception hosted in support of ABLE2 and its supporters. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Nicholson, president of the WCPD Group of Companies, gave a brief presentation on how charity flow-through shares help major donors reduce the cost to give and maximize donations. “We’ve got a great reputation; we’re well-known here in Ottawa, well-known across Canada,” said Nicholson, who works with 800 clients, including some extremely wealthy individuals. Perhaps for the benefit of those of us with a few zeros short in our bank accounts, he added: “You do not have to be a billionaire; all you have to be is a high-tax person.”

The audience included both supporters of ABLE2 and those have used charity flow-through shares to give more to charities of their choice. Since 2006, WCPD’s charity flow-through model has facilitated over $350 million to charities across Canada, like ABLE2, said Nicholson.

Peter Nicholson, president of the WCPD Group of Companies — including Foundation WCPD — welcomed guests to his home during a private reception he and his wife, Anabel Bane, hosted for ABLE2, a nonprofit dedicated to inclusion and support for people with disabilities. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guests heard how ABLE2 has served the community for more than 50 years, empowering people of all ages and abilities to build lives filled with joy and purpose. To date, it has supported more than 250,000 people with disabilities, aided by 500-plus volunteers contributing thousands of hours each year.

Executive director Heather Lacey spoke about the stigma, social isolation and barriers people living with disabilities face. Its Matching Program pairs volunteers from the community with individuals with disabilities. “We recognize the impact of social connection,” said Lacey. “People need people.”

Heather Lacey, executive  director of ABLE2, spoke about the work the nonprofit does in the community to help people with disabilities gain greater independence and a sense of belonging. Photo by Caroline Phillips

ABLE2’s mission focuses on helping people with disabilities gain confidence and independence, experience personal growth, and build an inclusive community where every person is seen as able, important and valued. “So that no person is left behind,” added Lacey.

In 2023, ABLE2 also expanded its services to include access to legal guidance. It handles referrals for people with disabilities as they attempt to navigate the often-complicated justice system. Its roster of 200 volunteer lawyers, paralegals and mediators provide up to three hours of free services to individuals facing legal challenges.

The nonprofit recently received a $226,000 grant over two years from The Law Foundation of Ontario to improve its Reach Legal Referral and Education Program.

Marsha Gilchrist shared how her Matching Program community volunteer, Meghan Maack, encouraged her to self-advocate for inclusion, leading to her participation in a weekly coffee group that includes bingo. “I have my own braille bingo card,” added Gilchrist. “One time, I actually won the jackpot. It was six dollars.”

The prize money wasn’t much but, as Jeff Todd later pointed out, the story is really about celebrating life’s small victories.

Gilchrist also charmed her audience by recounting her nights out with Maack and their respective spouses to Stray Dog Brewing Company for music and singing, enjoyed with a beer.

From left, Meghan Maack and Marsha Gilchrist spoke about their enjoyable experience in ABLE2’s Matching Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former Olympic equestrian Claire Smith, whose life was upended by a serious fall from a horse in 1997, wished she’d known about the Matching Program during her recovery.

“Sometimes, life changes so radically that it’s nice to have someone who didn’t know you before and can’t compare you to the old you. It helps you adjust to the new you.”

She told her audience how hard it was at first to get used to her new reality. “I’ve had to change from the overly motivated, narrowly focused pain-in-the-butt human that I once was. I had to accept that I couldn’t be the person I once was; I had to realign my expectations of myself.”

Her injuries included a life-altering brain injury and, eventually, a neurological disorder called dystonia that gradually reduced motion in her right leg. She now relies on a brace and wheelchair but maintains an active lifestyle, swimming, kayaking, and sit-skiing at the Edelweiss ski hill, she said.

Despite her health challenges, Smith went on to earn her doctorate in education at the University of Ottawa. She’s also authored a book, Falling into Now: Memories of Sport, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Education, and volunteers as a board member with ABLE2.

Smith said she was fortunate to have the resilience to “dig deep” and make the best of her situation.

“What happened to me made me realize how strong I am.”

Also present from the ABLE2 board were its chair, Adrian Raghunandan, and such other board members as long-term disabilities specialist Randy Slepchik (Jewitt McLuckie & Associates), lawyer Frank McNally (McNally Gervan) and RBC commercial account manager Nick Korpikoski.

Former Olympic equestrian, author and ABLE2 board member Claire Smith shared her story of courage and resilience during a private reception held for ABLE2 on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, luxury realtor Marilyn Wilson, founder and CEO of Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, Ottawa Community Foundation vice president of philanthropic services, Grace Xin, WCPD Group of Companies vice president of marketing and communications, Jeff Todd, and Reba Wilson, broker of record at Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Fineen Davis, accessibility consultant with BDO Canada, in conversation with fellow guests at a private reception held Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, for ABLE2: Support for People with Disabilities. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Nina Mormina, ABLE2 communications coordinator Emelou Porquez, and John Bishop, principal of Sequence Marketing and supporter of ABLE2 at a private reception held Monday, September 15, 2025. 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, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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