Any day on the water is a good day, some would say. That’s doubly true when you’re on the water paddling for a good cause.<\/p>\n
It was a cool, wet morning when 42 paddlers set out from Hutcheson Beach on August 12 for the fifth annual Paddle For Fairvern, but the weather did nothing to lessen their spirit.<\/p>\n
“All paddlers and volunteers were drenched but were quite cheerful on their return to the Hidden Valley Chalet for the barecue,” said Mary Edmonstone, co-chair for the fundraiser. “They said they enjoyed paddling the calm waters with little boat traffic, and, although it was raining, there was no wind and it wasn’t cold. I think they were good sports!”<\/p>\n
Organizers were aiming for a five-year fundraising total of $150,000 in honour of Canada’s 150th and Fairvern’s 35th anniversary<\/a><\/span> and they reached that handily. Forty-two paddlers (down from 52 last year) raised $19,585 as of the morning of the event, up more than $5,000 over the 2016 pledge total. When combined with corporate sponsorships of $9,630, the 2017 Paddle For Fairvern raised $29,340 for a five-year total of $155,417. With pledges continuing to come in, that number will keep rising. All of the money goes to Fairvern’s redevelopment fund.<\/p>\n This year, six of Fairvern’s staff members paddled together and quite a few loyal supporters have paddled all five years, said Edmonstone, with many planning to paddle again in 2018. (Read about two of the fundraiser’s ardent supporters, Jeannie and Brian McLennan here<\/a><\/span>.)<\/p>\n Why do they do it? For the residents, of course.<\/p>\n Marlene M\u00fcller, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at Fairvern, has paddled every year, this year raising $4,705 by the start of the fundraiser. “I paddle for the residents. They need a home,” she said. “I believe that Huntsville, the community, needs the home to keep the seniors who have lived here all their lives here.”<\/p>\n\n\t\t