FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lindsay, Ontario, March 24, 2023.

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes announces the final act of the Bobcaygeon & Area COVID-19 Relief Fund (BACRF). Launched in March 2020 in response to the pandemic’s impact on Bobcaygeon, this significant fund raised much needed financial and in-kind support for local healthcare workers, Bobcaygeon’s three senior care homes, their residents and staff, as well as local families and individuals during a difficult and unpredictable time.

l-r Margaret Cunningham, Foundation Coordinator; from the Food Bank - Laura Fisher, Donna Wenn, Jan Haney, Carol Irving; and Ann Adare, Chair Bobcaygeon & Area Covid-19 Relief Fund

Case by case, overwhelming need was identified and recommended for funding through the Relief Fund Advisory committee. The eligibility of each request was determined collaboratively by the Bobcaygeon Advisors and the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, ensuring accountability, equity, fairness, and inclusivity. The financial generosity and in-kind contributions from seasonal residents, local families and individuals, service clubs and businesses near and far, was tremendous.

“The success of the fund would not have been possible without our generous donors, the support of the community and the Kawartha Lakes Community Foundation. I extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved including our local Advisory team of Elizabeth Byrnes, Jelle Visser, and Dianne Lister who all worked diligently, and gave unreservedly of their time, to provide immediate support and assistance throughout our community. A special thank you to Kathleen Seymour Fagan for stepping up to help initiate the fund as the crisis began to unfold and for working with the team during the three years that followed. By working together, we were able to aid where it was needed most and to help support Bobcaygeon as the community navigated the pandemic.”
Ann Adare, Chair, The Bobcaygeon & Area Covid-19 Relief Fund.

The outpouring of support addressed financial and food insecurity, emergency housing, transportation needs, and provided access to mental health services, among other related needs. Much good has come from the generous giving to the Relief Fund over the last three years. As a result, over 50 families, 373 healthcare workers, 297 seniors in local senior care homes and 21 community organizations received assistance. Distributed funds were allocated as required to support areas of need. A memorial dedication is also being installed at Beach Park to be unveiled in the Spring of 2023.

As the Relief Fund is closed, and the remaining funds distributed, priority has been given to the high demand on the local foodbanks, for which use has doubled since last year. To address growing food insecurity and to recognize the value of our foodbanks in the community, contributions have been made to the Bobcaygeon Helps Food Bank, and the Dunsford Food Bank.

"The Dunsford Community Food Bank appreciates the support of the Bobcaygeon & Area Covid 19 Relief Fund, the funds will help us purchase a new freezer and much needed food items".
Fay Carslake, Board Chair and Manager of the Dunsford Community Foodbank.

Additionally, a contribution has been made to the A. Sheila Boyd Museum, which following mandatory closures, now faces financial burden to repurpose and upgrade their larger space as a community gathering space. For the Bobcaygeon Truth and Reconciliation Committee, aid is being provided to create a stone circle mediation garden at Beach Park. Once complete, this public space will be used for meditation and peaceful reflection to support mental health and as a as learning space to support the understanding of Indigenous culture.

The impact of the pandemic reverberated across all businesses, in particular the retail stores and restaurants. In partnership with Kawartha Works Community Cooperative, support is offered via Impact 32 to focus marketing efforts on those businesses most affected and to promote renewed growth of Bobcaygeon’s yearround economic development for the benefit of all local businesses and residents.

“The immediate response of the entire community to this tragedy in our midst was overwhelming. We were so glad at the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes to be part of the effort to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Jack Roks, Past Board President and Treasurer of Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes helps individual, family or corporate donors give charitable gifts that will not only make an impact on the community today but will leave a legacy in Kawartha Lakes for generations to come. Supporting the causes that matter most to our donors while also meeting the greatest needs of our community, the Foundation provides grants to eligible Canadian charities. Through donor directed grants and discretionary grants programs, the Foundation supports initiatives in local social services, public infrastructure, agriculture, environment, health, education, arts & culture, and community economic development. The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes works to empower the local charitable sector.
www.kawarthafoundation.ca
https://www.facebook.com/KawarthaFoundation/

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Contact: Margaret Cunningham, Foundation Coordinator

margaret@kawarthafoundation.ca 705-879-2719

Much Good has come from the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund