The past 2 years have looked very different for our local service clubs. Traditionally, these dedicated volunteers raise funds through in-person events & initiatives designed to bring people together as they support local charities. With a global pandemic, stay-at-home orders, and mandated physical distancing, their ability to generate funds has been significantly hampered.
Through true resilience and determination, however, the changing landscape hasn’t stopped the Midland District Shrine Club, the Knights of Columbus Laurier Council (Midland), the Knights of Columbus Huronia Council (Penetanguishene) and the Midland Civitan Club from giving back to the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation. Collectively, these four service-focused organizations have given more than $140,000 to the Foundation, and their latest gifts continue to inspire
“We’re scraping the bottom of the coffers,” shares Peter McBryan from the Knights of Columbus, Laurier Council in Midland. “But we want to make sure our funds are having a positive impact on the community, and health care is absolutely top of mind.” The Knights of Columbus, Laurier Council visited GBGH on October 13 to present a cheque for $500 to the Foundation’s Impact Fund.Earlier this month, on October 6, the Midland District Shrine Club visited the Hospital to deliver a generous gift of $1,000, which will also support the GBGH Foundation’s most urgent priorities (picture shown above).
The camera-shy Penetanguishene Knights of Columbus generously donated $1,000 on October 14, also providing much needed funding for the Foundation’s Impact Fund.
The Midland Civitan Club also made two generous $500 donations in October to honour the memory of two long-standing members, Huguette Fahrentholz and Dawn Locke.
“Our community’s service clubs have been such generous supporters of the GBGH Foundation for many years,” shares Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “It is inspiring to see their commitment and dedication, and we are honoured that they have chosen to invest in their community through the Foundation this year.”
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus Midland & Penetanguishene, the Midland District Shrine Club and the Midland Civitan Club for their amazing support!