It was a beautiful day to be in and on the water. Raising money for a great cause made it that much better.
Early on Sunday, August 28, distance swimmer Joy Jarvis waded out into the Muskoka River to begin a 12-kilometre swim in support of Hospice Huntsville. Her annual route takes her up the Muskoka River, across Hunters Bay, around Centreview Island in Lake Vernon and back again. On her return trip, she is joined by swim challengers who complete the final 3km, 2km or 1km of the route, all of them having raised pledges for the cause.
Jarvis began the Swim for Hospice in 2012 after having completed Swim for the Kids in support of Camp Oochigeas for 11 years. When a friend was battling a second round of cancer in hospital rather than in a hospice facility, where she wanted to be, Jarvis decided she wanted to help Hospice Huntsville raise funds. “Every swim, I think of her,” she told Doppler following last year’s swim.
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- Joy Jarvis began her 12km swim at just after 7 a.m. on August 27. The route took her from the Town Docks, up the Muskoka River, across Hunters Bay, around Lake Vernon’s Centreview Island and back again.
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- Friends cheer Joy on as she begins her swim
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- Joy Jarvis begins her swim up the foggy Muskoka River
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- A festive support boat followed Joy for the duration of her swim
Hospice Huntsville’s residential hospice – Algonquin Grace – opened in January 2012. Funds raised for the swim support Hospice Huntsville’s services and programs at Algonquin Grace. Hospice Huntsville is responsible for raising 50 per cent of its annual operating costs; the other 50 per cent comes from the Local Health Integration Network.
So far, $20,500 has been raised for this year’s Swim for Hospice, which includes proceeds from the Sunrise Swim for Hospice, pledges from Swim for Hospice, sponsorships, and preliminary fundraising from the “Create Your Own Swim” fundraiser.
Swimmers participate for a variety of reasons: some because family or friends have received end-of-life care at Algonquin Grace, some who believe in the importance of having a residential hospice in our community, and some who just want a challenge.
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- Swim challengers wait at the 1km mark to begin their swim to the Town Docks
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- One of the first of the 3km challengers passes under the Centre Street bridge
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- The swimmers wore purple Swim For Hospice caps
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- Swimmers could relax and grab a coffee at the NyDock swim-up coffee bar after their swim
The swimmers were supported in the water by volunteers in kayaks and on stand-up paddleboards, and on land by welcoming volunteers who helped them exit the water and served up coffee, ice cream and other treats. All of the swim challengers were entered into a draw for a variety of prizes from local sponsors.
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- Rebecca Ellerson keeps a close eye on the swimmers from her stand up paddle board
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- Dr. Deb Harrold made herself comfortable while ensuring the safety of the swimmers
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- The OPP patrolled the river to ensure boaters watched for the swimmers in the water
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- Some of the 2017 Swim for Hospice volunteers (submitted photo)
After the swim, the challengers gathered on the Town Dock to await Joy’s arrival. She completed the 12-kilometre swim in five hours and 14 minutes.
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- (From left) Rebecca Francis, Rob Horton and Justine Brown are all smiles after the 3km swim
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- (Front from left) Ryan Loring, Lochlin MacDonald, Piper MacDonald, (back from left) Hannah Loring, Kerrie MacDonald and Heather Green after their 1km swim
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- Councillor Nancy Alcock and her brother Steve Alcock had planned to do the 1km swim challenge but opted for the 2km at the last minute
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- Joy (left) makes the final few strokes to the Town Dock accompanied by Nancy Alcock (back) and Rebecca Francis
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- Swimmers and spectators cheer on Joy as she completes her 12km swim
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- Joy Jarvis, centre, with (from left) Steve Alcock, Rebecca Francis, Justine Brown and Nancy Alcock, who all returned to the water to join Joy for the final few metres of her 12km swim.
A final fundraising total will be announced after September 4 when the “Create Your Own Swim” fundraiser closes. “Create Your Own Swim” launched in 2016 for those who wanted to participate in Swim for Hospice but couldn’t because of timing or location. Those swimmers chose their own place and distance to swim on a date that fit their schedule and raised pledges to contribute to the Swim for Hospice total. Once those donations are counted, Swim for Hospice organizers hope to reach their 2017 goal of $25,000.
For information on how to support Hospice Huntsville, visit hospicehuntsville.com.
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