OTTAWA – The Sens Foundation announced today the support of Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips and his wife Erin, who have been named honourary co-chairs of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation.

In October 2008, the Sens Foundation unveiled its second-largest financial commitment in its 10-year history, totalling $1.3 million in support of two Ottawa residential youth treatment centres. The fundraising campaign, entitled project s.t.e.p., is a community response to addressing the need for residential substance abuse support, treatment, education and prevention for young people between the ages of 13 and 17. Chris and Erin Phillips are Ambassadors of Change in this city-wide initiative and the 2009 Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and its Foundation have stepped up to support the Sens Foundation and their commitment to youth addiction.

"Erin and I are so proud to be named honorary co-chairs of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation. The foundation and festival have provided much needed support for very worthwhile charitable organizations in our region," said Chris Phillips. “It is an added bonus for us that the Sens Foundation has committed funds raised this year to project s.t.e.p., a fundraising campaign that Erin and I also support. We would like to thank all the paddlers and donors at this year's Festival. Your contributions will help one out of every six youth in our community struggling with drug abuse."

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival takes place June 19-21 at Mooney's Bay. Admission and entertainment is free and families are welcome.  A coffee kiosk and a children’s play area will be available on site. Festival guests will enjoy an appearance by Spartacat on June 20 from noon to 1 p.m., as well as featured activities including Little Rays Reptiles, Mad Science and much more.

The Main Stage and Beer Garden will feature free entertainment from several great acts. Starting the festival off in style, from Newfoundland, is Shanneyganock, playing Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s show will be exciting and energized with African Guitar Summit headlining at 3:30 p.m. and the ever funky and soulful King Sunshine starting the festivities at 1:30 p.m. Ashley MacIsaac will be headlining the show Sunday at 1:30 p.m., with opening act and returning musician JW Jones starting things off at noon.

A silent auction, with several autographed items by Senators players available, supporting the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation will be on-site during festival weekend. Also, watch for Scotiabank’s food bank tent, where items will be collected for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Chris and Erin Phillips will be attending the closing ceremonies of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, June 21, to award all the top prizes.

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation was established in 2003 to help focus and grow the level of community support. Paddlers of the Festival raise funds for the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation through a Pledge Challenge. In 2006, the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation chose the Sens Foundation as its charity. This partnership has resulted in nearly $200,000 in donations to the Sens Foundation in the last three years.

For more information about the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival and Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation, please visit www.dragonboat.net.