MCF Smart and Caring Muskoka Celebration recognizes young local philanthropists and athletes

The fifth annual Smart and Caring Muskoka Celebration hosted by the Muskoka Community Foundation, brought together leaders, politicians, business owners as well as charity organizations for an afternoon of recognition.

Held at the Mark O’Meara Clubhouse, the event included an award ceremony, a lunch, a keynote speaker, as well as a networking time for attendees.

The current board members of the Muskoka Community Foundation are Gord Durnan, Marg French, Jodi Holder, Daniel Bradbury, Scott Young, Jane Hunt, Eva Zachary and Bill Fee, and their executive director is Lynn DeCaro.

“The foundation gets their money from people who want to invest in and improve in the future vitality of our community,” said founding member Gord Durnan.

Formed just over 10 years ago, the Muskoka Community Foundation is one of 190 like organizations in Canada.

“We have eight donor-advised funds that hold both money and estates which are currently invested in the Muskoka Community Foundation. The donors can be as involved as they want in choosing where and to whom their grants are given,” said Durnan.

The event began by recognizing five kids who have demonstrated philanthropic work in Muskoka.

Owen Armstrong, 9: By creating his kids own furniture company, lemonade stand and a bake sale, Owen has raised over $1,000 for organizations including SickKids Hospital, Candlelighters Simcoe County, and Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.

Griffin Graham, 9: At just 4 years old, Griffin started his own lemonade stand outside of his parents Huntsville Home Hardware store to raise money for SickKids. Four years later, he has raised over $6,000.

(Back from left) Gravenhurst Councillor Paul Kelly, Muskoka Community Foundation Chair Marg French, and District Chair John Klinck recognize (front from left) Griffin Graham, Erica Meadows, Noah Gonthier, Jonah Gonthier, and Owen Armstrong

Erica Meadows, 6: Erica has raised over $150 by making her own “Dolly & Me” necklaces for her local food bank in Bracebridge.

Noah and Jonah Gonthier, 9 and 11: The pair of brothers have donated nearly $2,000 to school breakfast programs as well as the inclusive playground project at Huntsville Public School. They fundraised by starting their own vegetable garden and then harvesting the vegetables into a spaghetti sauce. The sauce is then used at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser.

Dara Howell then took the stage to present her grants to three young women in the community who dream of taking their sport to the next level.

Over the past four years, Dara’s Fund has granted more than $6,800 to local female athletes in the community who both excel at sport and represent their community positively.

The 2018 recipients were:

Rebecca Jeffrey, 20: Fencer on the University of Toronto Women’s Saber team who hopes to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Charlotte Wood, 17: Track athlete who is heading to West Virginia University this fall to pursue her sport at the NCAA level

Ashlin Baker, 13: Bantam AA hockey player whose ultimate goal is to one day play on the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team.

“It is so hard to choose who to select for Dara’s Fund,” said DeCaro. “It’s incredibly impressive what well-rounded young women they all are and how they represent their community.”

The keynote speech was then delivered by the President of Fowler Construction, Moreen Miller.

The Muskoka Community Foundation plans to expand in the next coming year so keep an eye out for more changes in Muskoka.

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