News

PURPOSE OF THE BOBCAYGEON COVID-19 RELIEF FUND

This new relief fund will provide immediate assistance for people affected by COVID-19 in the Bobcaygeon area.

All donations go toward providing immediate support to Bobcaygeon and area patients, families, or health care workers in need of financial assistance, and may also include food supplies, transportation, technology, and mental wellness counselling.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDS

If you are a Bobcaygeon and area patient, family, or health care worker in need of financial assistance, contact Councillor Seymour-Fagan at kseymourfagan@kawarthalakes.ca

HOW IT IS ORGANIZED

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes is an existing umbrella organization who will administer this fund, led by its president Mike Perry. Read  more at:  
http://www.kawarthafoundation.ca/

HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE

Decisions on distribution of the funds will be made by a group of Bobcaygeon volunteer residents, led by Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan, working together with the Foundation. The following Bobcaygeon Advisors are volunteers who will respond directly to the inquiries for support and provide local advice to the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes regarding the needs of the community: Dianne Lister (Committee Chair), Ann Adare, Elizabeth Byrnes, Jelle Visser, Kathy Dufton (administrative support).  For more information on the committee click here. 

HOW TO DONATE AND RECEIVE TAX RECEIPTS

To donate funds to the BOBCAYGEON AND AREA COVID-19 RELIEF FUND:

1. Simply go to our website at www.kawarthafoundation.ca and click on the link “Donate to the Bobcaygeon Covid-19 Relief Fund: and follow the instructions.
2. Donations can also be made using e-transfer to the email - info@kawarthafoundation.ca.  In a separate email, please provide your full name, address and date of deposit for the benefit of a tax receipt, as well as the answer to security question.
3. Alternately, cheques can be mailed to:

Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes
c/o Stewart Morrison Insurance
158 Lindsay Street South
Lindsay, Ontario   K9V 4S1

Local Citizens Create Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund

Immediate Assistance Needed

COVID-19 has hit close to home and the community is rising to assist in this tremendous time of need. A group of concerned citizens has taken the lead to create a fund to help patients, families and health-care workers affected by COVID-19 in Bobcaygeon, Ontario and surrounding area; a community among the hardest hit by the virus in the province.

“The stories I have heard about what’s happening are horrible,” admits City of Kawartha Lakes Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan whose Ward includes Bobcaygeon and area. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We have to do something and I know people want to help. We’re in this together.”

The urgency is real. Bobcaygeon is one of Ontario’s communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Seymour-Fagan and a few concerned local citizens have created the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance for eligible COVID-19 affected patients, families and health-care workers in the Bobcaygeon area with immediate support including: food supplies; transportation; technology; hiring and overtime costs; and mental wellness counselling.

The Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, advised by members of the Bobcaygeon community lead by Councillor Seymour-Fagan.

“I am honoured that the Foundation was tapped to help take action to address this challenge in our community,” stated Foundation President Mike Perry. “This is what community foundations do: rapid, professional response to helping each other here locally.” Perry added that he was very pleased that it took less than 24 hours from the time he got the call to when the fund was established, was in a position to issue tax receipts to donors and received its first donation. “There were calls, emails and procedural issues back and forth of course. But this is a health and economic crisis here at home so it’s all hands on deck,” Perry added.

The eligibility of each recipient to receive funds will be determined collaboratively by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and the Bobcaygeon advisors, using best efforts. The approach to determine the eligibility of the recipients of the fund will be accountable as well as generous and inclusive.

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes will supply the funds to local businesses, charities and municipal bodies to deliver the funded goods and services to those identified in need. All activities undertaken will align with the objects of the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and charitable purposes as defined by the Canadian Revenue Agency. The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes stands ready to help create additional funds to help the communities of Kawartha Lakes.

To make a donation to the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund, contact Foundation Coordinator Margaret Cunningham at: 705.731.9775 or by email: info@kawarthafoundation.ca

Bobcaygeon and area patients, families and health care workers in need should contact Councillor Seymour-Fagan by email at kseymourfagan@kawarthalakes.ca

This story continues to develop.

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Contact: Margaret Cunningham, Foundation Coordinator margaret@jacksgroup.ca 705-879-2719

Kawartha Lakes - The City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development, including the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC), remains available to support our business community. Although municipal facilities are closed, Economic Development and KLSBEC services are available by phone and electronically.

“The health and well-being of residents and staff remains our primary focus, but we recognize this pandemic has also created many challenges for businesses in Kawartha Lakes,” commented Andy Letham, Mayor, City of Kawartha Lakes. “I applaud the work our Economic Development team is doing during these unprecedented times and hope their resources help support our business community.”

Kawartha Lakes Economic Development and partnering agencies are committed to supporting you and your business during COVID-19. Economic Development is part of Team Kawartha Lakes, which includes KLSBEC, Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce, Lindsay Downtown BIA, Coboconk, Norland and Area Chamber of Commerce, Fenelon Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, Bobcaygeon and Area Chamber of Commerce, Impact 32, the Innovation Cluster, Kawartha Lakes CFDC, VCCS Employment and OMAFRA Regional Staff.

The Team is working collaboratively to ensure that local businesses receive up to date and accurate information. To stay informed and prepared, we encourage you to:

• Check out COVID-19 Business Resources for self-help and ways to connect
• Subscribe to the Economic Development Newsletter to stay informed
• Subscribe to the Business Events Calendar for upcoming webinars

“COVID-19 is not only a threat to our health, but to our local economy and businesses as well,” Rebecca Mustard, Manager, Economic Development, City of Kawartha Lakes. “In Kawartha Lakes we’re fortunate to have a unique, diverse and thriving business community. We know these are tough times for business and we’re here to help our business community. We hope our tools provide some support and relief.”