Cheering for the Lake of Bays

It's always an honour to emcee the CIBC Run for the Cure in Dwight, a task I've been privileged to hold since the run started here some 8 years back.

Every year, I'm stunned by the response from the community. Every year, I think, it just can't get better! And every year Lynn, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, CIBC, the community and the sponsors all go that little bit more. Wow. This year, the run raised $62,800.00 here in Dwight.

The Lake of Bays is crammed with generous people. Marie Poirier, with a committee of three other people, raised $250,000 to provide the Volunteer Fire Department with a Fire Boat. Has it been used? Absolutely. There are many places on this lake that can be accessed faster by water than by road, and there are often times when small boats are in distress.

Marie is currently fundraising with Rick Davison on a committee chaired by Deb Harrold to raise $250,000 towards the new Huntsville/Lake of Bays Residential Hospice. $800,000 is needed for this facility, and this contribution will go towards a Lake of Bays 'Wing.'

In Dorset last week for a meeting of the Community Group, I was almost overwhelmed with the enthusiasm in that community. There are so many projects on the table, working forward, some of them already well into the grant application process. Ruth Ross was delighted to make the presentation at this meeting of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation award for Built and Cultural Heritage, given this year to the entire Village of Dorset. That nomination came forward through the Lake of Bays Heritage Advisory Committee -- which I chair -- but it was driven by Ruth Ross, who's boundless enthusiasm for her hometown is infectious.

There are so many people in this township who volunteer for so many fundraising causes -- Saturday at the Dwight Community Centre there's one raising money for Team Kenya, a group of young people heading over to that country to do humanitarian work. Sunday, there's a turkey dinner at Dorset, hosted by the Lion's Club -- and the work they do is amazing. The list goes on and on...

We know the folks who come out to all of these, who serve, sell tickets, bake goodies, provide prizes and sponsorship. You're the ones who make this a wonderful place to live, a vibrant community. So here's a cheer to the volunteers, and those that come out to support their efforts.