Buck Lake Community receives National Philanthropy Day award

Bruce Archibald | Dec 02, 2015

November 12 marked a special day for the Buck Lake Boatilla and the Buck Lake community. Kingston’s City Hall honoured the community for its 11 years of support in sending kids with physical disabilities to Easter Seals Camp Merrywood.

Annette Paul, president of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, Easter Seals Ontario, Southeastern Region, stated “The National Philanthropy Day Awards were created to recognize people, organizations, institutions and corporations that have made an enduring and impactful commitment to our community through the generosity of their time and talent and in support of causes and issues that affect many of our citizens. Our admirable and worthy nominees were named and touted because they embody the true spirit of giving, and through their philanthropy, contribute to making our communities and society a better place. Nominated by Easter Seals Ontario, South Eastern Region, it is our pleasure to give the Award for Outstanding Corporation/Organization 100 Employees/Members and Over to the Buck Lake community.”

“It was my pleasure to nominate the Buck Lake community for this award” observed Krista LeClair, development officer for Easter Seals Ontario. “The Buck Lake community has fundraised for the last 11 years. The organization committee was originally the local Community Watch but they transitioned in to the Buck Lake Boatilla fully in support of sending kids to Camp Merrywood. The Buck Lake community donates 100% of all funds raised to the Easter Seals ‘Send a Kid to Camp’ program, giving kids with physical disabilities the opportunity to boat, swim and fish at the fully accessible Camp Merrywood on the Big Rideau. Since its inception the annual Buck Lake Boatilla has raised over $162,000 for Easter Seals Ontario and has sent 63 kids to Merrywood”.

The Boatilla Committee would like to thank all local and extended members of the Buck Lake community for your support of the Buck Lake Boatilla over the years. You have truly gone above and beyond in supporting our cause and by doing so have made our community a better place and ensured a better life for kids with physical disabilities.