An Alcoholics Anonymous event with Al-Anon participation
About the Ottawa Alkathon
Our history
The Ottawa Alkathon began in the late 1960s, when two AA members who worked in restaurants on Parliament Hill joined with others to serve Christmas Eve dinner to homeless and struggling alcoholics in Ottawa. The gathering was held at St. Giles Church, at the corner of Bank Street and First Avenue. The meal was followed by an AA meeting.
The event returned the following Christmas, with even more people around the tables. What began as a Christmas Eve meal and meeting continued to grow, eventually becoming the Ottawa Alkathon.
By 1968, the Ottawa Alkathon had already attracted the attention of AA’s General Service Office in New York, which mentioned Ottawa in an article about the growing tradition of holiday Alkathons across North America. The following year, GSO records show a contribution of $29 from the “Ottawa Area Alkathon.”
Over the years, the Alkathon grew into a holiday tradition supported by AA members and groups throughout the Ottawa area. Christmas and New Year’s gatherings brought together continuous AA meetings, shared meals, fellowship and service, providing a welcoming place during a time of year that can be especially difficult for those who are alone or struggling.
The Alkathon has been held in several locations throughout its history, including the Hintonburg Community Centre and, today, the Bronson Centre. When gathering in person became impossible during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ottawa AA members kept the tradition alive by holding the Alkathon virtually.
More than half a century after that first Christmas Eve dinner, the purpose remains the same: to provide a safe and sober place over the holidays, and to be there when an alcoholic reaches out for help and connection.
What is the Alkathon?
The Alkathon is a marathon of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings held over the holidays, with Al-Anon Family Groups participation. Meetings run back to back from noon until 2 a.m. and start again at 7 a.m. until noon.
The basic purpose of the Alkathon is to provide a safe and sober environment for the new and still-suffering alcoholic over Christmas and New Year. But we are not a glum lot: there are speakers, music, food, games, fellowship, and a New Year's Eve dance.
Anyone is welcome to attend: AA members, people who are wondering whether they have a drinking problem, and family and friends who want to learn more or wish to celebrate with us. There is no cost and no registration to attend a meeting. Coffee and food are available throughout the event.
Who supports the Alkathon
The Alkathon is organized and funded by AA members and groups in the Ottawa area. Costs are covered by seventh tradition contributions. No outside funding is accepted.
Thanks to the AA groups of the Ottawa area, Ottawa Area Intergroup, District 54 (Ottawa Rideau), and District 62 (Ottawa West) for their ongoing support through the years.
What volunteers do
Volunteers keep the event running. Typical roles include:
- Greeters welcome people at the door and point them to the meeting room.
- Registration volunteers staff the welcome table.
- Coffee and kitchen volunteers make coffee, prepare food, and keep the serving area tidy.
- Setup and teardown volunteers arrange chairs and tables before and after the event.
- The overnight crew covers everything from midnight to 6 a.m.
- 12-Step volunteers check in on people who may need support or want to learn about the program.
- General helpers and the maintenance crew fill in wherever an extra hand is needed and keep the hall in good shape.
Standard shifts are two hours long unless otherwise indicated. No experience is needed for most roles, and instructions are included with each shift. You can sign up for one shift or several, including consecutive shifts.
Groups host the meetings
The meetings themselves are hosted by AA groups from across the area. Groups register for a lottery, and the draw decides which group hosts which meeting time.