Jeannie and Brian McLennan paddle because Fairvern is ‘the best care you can get’

You don’t have to ask Jeannie and Brian McLennan why they paddle for Fairvern. That’s the first thing they want you to know when discussing the fundraising event.

“Both our mothers’ lives ended at Fairvern,” Jeannie says before being asked.

“That’s one of the reasons we are involved. The other reason is because of how important it is. There are so many people out there who just don’t have the money to pay for care and since we own Fairvern and it’s nonprofit anybody can go there. They’ll take your money if you have it, but if you don’t, they won’t. Fairvern is also, by far, the best care you can get.”

Jeannie McLennan after the Paddle for Fairvern 2013. Photo by Lyn Ekins.

For those heartfelt reasons, Jeannie and Brian, who have been paddling for Fairvern since the event’s inception five years ago, will be paddling again this year.

The fifth annual Paddle for Fairvern takes place on Saturday, August 12. Jeannie describes it as an easy 15-kilometre paddle, which starts at Hutcheson Beach on Lake Vernon and finishes at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area on Pen Lake and takes them about 2.5 hours.

“It’s an easy paddle,” Jeannie says. “The wind is usually at your back. Because we don’t paddle all the time any more it takes us a little while to find our rhythm.”

Brian admits, with a twinkle in his eye, that the only other time he gets in the canoe now is if Jeannie “paddles his ass around.“

In the last four years, Jeannie and Brian have raised almost $10,000 for the Fairvern redevelopment fund. Jeannie says they are well on their way to making their $2,500 target for this year.

Brian’s in charge that day, but just that day.Jeannie says of the Paddle for Fairvern day

It’s not too late to get involved. “We need paddlers, we need volunteers, and we need people to come sponsor our paddlers,” said Fairvern’s board chair Rob Laver. “One hundred per cent of what we raise at the paddle goes to our redevelopment fund.”

Paddle for Fairvern draws approximately 100 paddlers each year. On the day of the event, paddlers register at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and then they and their canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards are bussed to Hutcheson Beach to begin the paddle. The paddle is followed by a lunch at the Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area chalet.

To register as a paddler or volunteer, or to donate or sponsor a paddler or the event, visit paddleforfairvern.ca.

Fairvern residents get involved, too

The residents of Fairvern are very supportive of the Paddle for Fairvern, which raises money for the Fairvern redevelopment project. Each year they create a craft related to the paddle theme to decorate the Activity Centre. This year they made colourful miniature canoes.

On paddle day many of the residents move to the river lookout on the Fairvern property and clap and ring cow bells as the paddlers go by.

Photos provided by Fairvern

Please see related story: Paddle for Fairvern launches with $150,000 goal

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