{"id":17299,"date":"2016-07-09T14:46:50","date_gmt":"2016-07-09T18:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=17299"},"modified":"2016-07-09T15:23:44","modified_gmt":"2016-07-09T19:23:44","slug":"muskoka-novel-marathon-raises-more-than-34000-for-adult-literacy-programs-in-huntsville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/muskoka-novel-marathon-raises-more-than-34000-for-adult-literacy-programs-in-huntsville\/","title":{"rendered":"Muskoka Novel Marathon raises more than $34,000 for adult literacy programs in Huntsville"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2016 Muskoka Novel Marathon is on track to obliterate once again its fundraising goal and previous record of $32,000, with a current total to this point of $34,081.81.<\/p>\n

Writers have until Aug. 1<\/span> to chase down more donations, and past results show they likely will. The money will go to the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka\u2019s Literacy Services in Huntsville, which gives classes to adults in literacy, numeracy and computer skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled at the passion the participants of the marathon have for supporting literacy services in Muskoka,\u201d says Kate Meeks, Capital Development Manager for the YMCA and co-convenor for the Marathon, speaking on behalf of the YMCA. \u201cLast year the marathon helped 78 people. This coming year, it will help even more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nancy

Nancy West, Team Leader of Employment and Literacy Services at YMCA Literacy Services, reacts to the fundraising total. Photo: Dawn Huddlestone<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cJust when I think we couldn\u2019t possibly surpass what we raised for another year, we are already blowing away last year\u2019s total, and it\u2019s only Saturday<\/span>,\u201d says Nancy West, who heads up the program the Marathon helps fund. \u201cThe writers are super-inspiring and I\u2019m eternally grateful for their Herculean efforts raising funds for literacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final total will be revealed at the Novel Marathon\u2019s wrap-up event on September 24<\/span>, when Best Novel winners will also be announced.<\/p>\n

The Muskoka Novel Marathon is currently underway at the Active Living Centre at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville, with 40 writers competing for Best Novel in two categories plus other prizes. They have 72 hours to complete their works, ending at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 11.<\/p>\n

Fundraising awards were also presented at today\u2019s event. The top fundraiser, for the fifth year in a row, is Cheryl Cooper, who raised $3,050. Four other writers raised more than $1,500: Rebecca Senese, Lenore Butcher, Cindy Watson and Christine Cowley.<\/p>\n\n\t\t