Posted by: Karim Ali
Coffee with Karim
How to Give Back in Ottawa
Est. read time: 6 minutes
Giving back doesn’t always mean grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as simple as holding the door, donating to a cause you care about, or volunteering an hour of your weekend. What’s incredible is how even small acts of kindness create ripple effects that reach far beyond what we see – shaping schools, parks, families, and the heart of a neighbourhood.
As this month’s theme of Community and Giving Back comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on what it really means to contribute – and how, in Ottawa especially, small local efforts can build something much bigger than any of us could do alone.
How One Act Becomes a Ripple
It often starts with one simple decision: to help.
Someone donates to a school breakfast program.
A family volunteers at a local food bank.
A small business collects coats or socks during the winter.
At first, those things seem small – but every act of giving has a domino effect. The child who gets a healthy breakfast goes to class ready to learn. The volunteer meets others who care about the same things. The local drive inspires another business to start their own initiative.
It spreads – quietly, but powerfully.
Communities don’t become strong by accident; they’re built through moments like these, repeated over and over by people who care.
The Power of Local Giving
Ottawa is full of these stories. They’re everywhere once you start looking.
You’ll see them in the parents who organize park cleanups every spring, or in the volunteers who run youth sports leagues, library programs, and seniors’ lunches. You’ll see them in your neighbours who shovel someone else’s driveway after a snowstorm, or drop off groceries for a sick friend.
Giving back at the local level makes a visible difference. It keeps our parks cleaner, our schools stronger, and our neighbours connected.
It also makes communities more resilient. When people know each other – when they’ve worked together or helped each other before – they’re quicker to show up again when something bigger happens, whether that’s a local crisis or a family in need.
What Giving Back Looks Like for Us
On our team, giving back has always been part of what we do. Real estate is all about people, and for us, that means investing in the communities we live and work in.
Throughout the year, Team Nick Fundytus hosts events that not only thank our clients but also contribute to our neighbourhoods in small ways – from free tire change days that take a bit of stress off our clients’ plates, to Ice Cream Day at La Vérendrye Park that brings families and neighbours together for a summer afternoon.
And sometimes, our giving takes a more direct form.
This year, we hosted a Name That Tune fundraiser in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, which helps women and children escape domestic violence. The event was full of laughter and music, but also meaning – raising funds for an important cause. Our team lead, Nick Fundytus, is even trekking across Cambodia to raise awareness and donations for the same foundation.
That kind of commitment inspires all of us – and reminds us that giving back can look like many different things.
The Personal Impact of Giving
It’s easy to think of giving back as something you do for others, but I’ve found it changes the giver just as much.
When you volunteer or give time, you start to see the world a little differently. You meet people you might never have crossed paths with otherwise. You gain perspective, gratitude, and often a sense of peace.
Even something as small as helping a neighbour move or buying a pie for a fundraiser can lift your spirits for the whole day. It’s not just about what you give – it’s about how it makes you feel connected to something larger than yourself.
How You Can Start Your Own Ripple
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved or giving back but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few ideas that make a real difference:
Volunteer your time. Food banks, animal shelters, and community centres are always looking for an extra hand.
Support local fundraisers. Schools, small businesses, and community groups often host drives or raffles that rely on neighbours’ participation.
Pay it forward. Cover someone’s coffee, donate clothes, or leave a kind review for a local business.
Offer your skills. If you’re handy, creative, or organized, there’s likely a local group that could use your help.
You Got This!
The beautiful thing about giving back is that it doesn’t stop with you. Every good deed, big or small, ripples outward, touching more people than you’ll ever know.
As we head into November and the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we can give – not just in money or time, but in kindness, empathy, and connection.
If you’d like to learn more about our team’s community work or upcoming events, I’d love to help. Whether it’s sharing local initiatives, volunteering together, or just chatting about how to get more involved, it all starts with one small ripple.
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