NorthStar Community Movie Event Brings Families and Friends Together On the morning of September 27, NorthStar Special Needs Society hosted a community movie event at Elgin Mills Imagine Cinemas, bringing together more than 200 children, parents, volunteers, and community partners. In addition to a screening of Forgotten Island, the morning included a season-end awards ceremony for the NorthStar WaveRiders Dragon Boat Team and a closing celebration for the BuddyUp program. What began as a...

Through the Eyes of Coach Wei and Benny: The NorthStar WaveRiders Story On August 15, 2026, the fourth Annual Hope Floats Dragon Boat Festival was held at the Welland International Flatwater Centre in Ontario. It was a memorable day for the NorthStar WaveRiders, who finished third in the Adult Mixed Division and won gold in the Para Division. The medals carried special meaning. But for Head Coach Peng Wei and Benny, what mattered even more was everything behind them—the children showing up...

Today, families from NorthStar’s Ottawa branch and Toronto headquarters gathered at beautiful Lake Leamy for a joyful summer celebration filled with sunshine, laughter, and connection. The sparkling lake, sandy beach, and warm summer weather provided the perfect setting for a variety of outdoor activities. Some participants tried paddleboarding and enjoyed the refreshing breeze on the water, while others played beach volleyball and soccer. Everyone also came together for a relaxing picnic,...