August 1, 2005 • ‘Sunrisers’ make first major pledge to women’s shelter
August 1, 2005 • Huntsville Forester
By Bruce Hickey
Participants in the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival can put their backs into their paddling knowing it will help build Huntsville’s first women’s shelter.
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Rotary Club, which organizes the Bell-Huntsville Dragon Boat Festival with the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary, has given the soon-to-be-built women’s shelter its first major financial commitment.
The club, known as the Sunrisers due to its morning meetings, is promising $50,000 over five years to the shelter. Funds raised by the Dragon Boat Festival will also support the Auxiliary’s commitment to Huntsville Hospital’s day surgery unit.
“We really needed this commitment. This goes a long way to helping us reach our goal. You are the first organization to come on board in a major way,” said Elizabeth Rice Aben, who is spearheading the shelter project with developer Claude Doughty and Huntsville councillor Scott Aitchison.
“We really do appreciate you having faith in us and faith in this project.” Rice Aben said she’s optimistic that the lead of the morning Rotary club will be followed by other community groups and corporate and individual donors.
The six-bedroom shelter, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will be attached to rent-geared-to-income transitional housing to help women and their children get back on their feet.
Doughty, Rice Aben and Aitchison have been working alongside administration at Muskoka Interval House in Bracebridge to make Huntsville’s shelter a reality.
To date, the land at Muskoka Commerce Park and site-preparation have been donated by Doughty. Building materials and labour donations are also being accepted. Architect Paul Mitchell donated the drawings for the facility. The goal is to raise $500,000 by September in order to commence with construction, with an ultimate cash goal of $1 million to complete the facility.
Morning Rotary club president Peter Schwarzl said that the five-year commitment is the most significant one assumed by the club since its inception three years ago.
Along with the financial commitment, Schwarzl said the club will also provide volunteer hours to help complete the facility by painting, or doing other tasks required to finish the job.
At present, the club is moving full-steam ahead toward the August 12-13 Dragon Boat Festival. Forty teams are expected to take part in the event, which commences with an opening ceremony and celebration downtown on Friday evening, followed by a full slate of racing on Saturday at Avery Beach.
Over 20 concessions will be present on race day, selling everything from food and beverages to souvenirs, arts and crafts. A beer garden will be open throughout the event, along with live entertainment on Friday evening from the ‘Bud Big Rig’ after the opening ceremony.
Like last year, frequent free bus shuttles will run to and from Avery Beach on Saturday from various locations in town (see next week’s Forester for further details).
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