Giving Back to our Community

The Annual Silent Action runs for one month and has been a great success for the last 10 years. This year (2021) the Friends have purchased a new laminator to create a book and art installation called Story Trails along the walking paths in Hanna Park in Port Carling and Muskoka Lakes Sportspark in Bala. This is a delightful way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors, at the same time.  Link here to access the online auction from July 15th 2021 until August 19th, 2021.

COVID-19 and self-isolation disproportionately affects seniors—not only is the virus a major health risk, but the isolation can cause loneliness, fear, and depression. Art makes a difference in the quality of people’s lives. Seniors deserve beautiful surroundings in this difficult time, and art can provide a form of engagement, generating hope and connection. Canadian Art in Isolation is a way to communicate to seniors that we care about them, and to fill their time in self-isolation with more happiness.

I’m excited to be part of this initiative matching emerging Toronto-based artists with seniors to provide works of art to be displayed in their room.

In addition to the physical work that will stay with the seniors, an online gallery has been created to spotlight the artists who have donated work. Learn more at the Canadian Art in Isolation website.

Habitat loss is the greatest threat to all of our wildlife species. Bird Studies Canada encourages people of all ages to take part in citizen science projects to support advocacy work and conservation efforts. I will be donating a portion of my summer proceeds to Bird Studies Canada.

For many years now our lake association, and the cottagers on our lake, have been taking part in, or running, a variety of charitable events in support of the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation. As a start-up this year (Summer 2019) I will be donating 10% of all proceeds from sales to people on our lake to the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation. I look forward to increasing my contribution in future once I've established myself and covered my start-up costs.

Libraries are the glue that holds communities together. My family has been using, and supporting, the Mactier Public Library for longer than I can remember. I am delighted to be participating in the '2nd Annual Afternoon Tea' fundraiser. Local artisans donate handcrafted and/or one-of-a-kind items to be auctioned off at their summer Afternoon Tea event. Contact the library for more information or check out the call for contributions poster here.

I am pleased to support Hospice Muskoka, a volunteer driven, community based, not-for-profit organization providing compassionate support to individuals and their loved ones of all ages and backgrounds, who are coping with end-of-life issues. Hospice Muskoka recently entered an exciting new phase as they opened Andy's House, the first residential hospice facility for the South/West Muskoka Region in October 2020. I donated two (2) custom framed prints to their fall fundraising Silent Auction (2019), and also additional pieces to the gallery at Andy's House (which are available for sale, with all proceeds returning to the hospice). Watch for more details here and/or at the Hospice Muskoka website.

I am pleased to support the parent fundraising efforts to enhance the Arts programming at the Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto ON. I have donated a custom framed print to their annual fall fundraising Silent Auctions. The Winter Craft Fair takes place annually - barring COVID! - in mid-November.

I am pleased to support the fundraising efforts of the Stonegate Ministry as they provide food, clothing, and household goods to people in the community, as well as offering encouragement and nurturing spiritual strength through their focused workshops, programs and prayer. I encourage anyone in the Etobicoke area to check out their fabulous thrift store, Great Finds. I donated a custom framed print to their annual fall fundraising Silent Auction, held at Kingsway-Lambton United Church on Saturday November 2nd, 2019.