It was a frigid February day in Port Sydney on Saturday, but in true Muskoka spirit, hundreds of people braved the cold to attend the Trails For Life fundraiser at the community centre.
The event was organized by MPP Graydon Smith, the local snowmobiling community and many more partners in support of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation — and their joint Raise Muskoka fundraising campaign. The event also featured Ontario Premier Doug Ford sledding across Mary Lake with a group that included Smith.
Others in attendance included Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, several Muskoka mayors, a handful of other local politicians and representatives from Raise Muskoka, as well as first responders, snowmobilers, and businesspeople from across the region.
Speaking to a scrum of media and onlookers, the Premier made a healthcare commitment to the community that was well received by the crowd. A Port Sydney cottage owner for over 40 years, Ford said he knows the community well and understands the need for quality healthcare.
“I remember a few years back they gave me a list and said everyone needs a hospital, but I said the people in Huntsville and Bracebridge need it the most,” said Ford. “It will probably cost $600 million — each hospital, well worth it, especially in the summers, as everyone knows that lives here, the population quadruples.”
Mattamy Homes CEO Peter Gilgan, also a long-time Muskoka cottager, was celebrated during a cheque presentation to Raise Muskoka, donating $100,000 to the cause. Others gave cash donations to the Raise Muskoka campaign at their booth.
“I think it shows how much people care about hospitals in the scope of it,” said Parry Sound—Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith of the turnout. “We had a hugely generous donation today from Peter Gilgan, really kicking off this amazing campaign, helping to support this amazing campaign. We’ve had people signing up and donating, and so many riders in to support it. It’s really heartwarming.”
Raise Muskoka is the fundraising campaign in support of building one healthcare system and two new hospitals. The roughly $1 billion dollar investment is made up of contributions from the province ($742 million), and municipalities in Muskoka and east Parry Sound ($225 million) and both hospital foundations ($35 million each).
“I want a hospital that’s going to work together to enhance service for everybody across both sites,” said Smith. “And so, like, just show your support. Show your support for a project that is going to transform Muskoka into an even better place than it already is,” he added.
Katherine Craine, Huntsville Hospital Foundation CEO, said the support for the new site in Bracebridge and building new on the existing site in Huntsville has always seen tremendous support from the community. Craine said she is thrilled with the large donation by Mattamy Homes.
“All of the funds today will go to both hospitals, a 50/50 split,” she explained. “We’re making sure that both sites get the support that they need. There will be opportunity for people to give to one or the other hospital, and there will be opportunities for others to give to both. Whatever it is that is desired by the donor, we will make that happen . . . It’s all about health care, it’s all about working together, and it’s all about just making sure that everyone gets what they need.”
(Photo: Melissa Candelaria)
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