Hi, My name is Robert Bhola, Vice-President of the Ottawa Deaf Centre (ODC).

I am pleased to announce that ODC has been selected as one of six charity organizations sponsored in the HOPE Volleyball SummerFest this year. This is a great honour for ODC to be a part of this event! I would like to thank Denise DeShaw and Sarah Colbeck for their hard work in their application for the funding support toward next year’s 2009 Deaf Canadian Youth Leadership Camp.

For those of you who don't know, the HOPE Volleyball SummerFest is the largest beach volleyball tournament in the world, and is held every year in Ottawa. The event is annually sponsored by over 50 major corporations including television, radio and newspapers. The event is also averaging more than 25,000 spectators and participants. There are 80 volleyball nets set up for this event. The registration is open to 1,000 teams. To date, 250+ teams have already registered for this event. The event is composed of tournament divisions for recreational and competitive teams. For more information check out www.hopehelps.com

This is so exciting we have to share with you all the information about this event! This is a great moment for the deaf community in Ottawa. We encourage more Deaf/hard of hearing/hearing teams or major deaf organizations across Ontario to participate in this event to promote the awareness about the programs and services available for Deaf/hard of hearing people. Your participation will support the Deaf youth leaders of our future!

To register, please visit www.hopehelps.com. The registration opens from May 2nd till May 30th. So hurry and register your spot!

If you are unable to play volleyball, there's still a way for you to participate at the event!

We are looking for 60 volunteers to help on the day of the event.

If you would like to volunteer at the event, please email Denise DeShaw and Kathy Holmes.

For more information about the tournament contact Robert Bhola.

Please help spread the word and get a team registered in the tournament and show Ottawa our Deaf culture pride!!

See you at the beach!!