Hosted by John and Margaret Leonardo at their Cedar Ridge home on July 25, the annual Cedar Ridge BBQ raised more than $213,397 in support of the GBGH Foundation’s We See You: Inside and Out campaign, helping prepare for the addition of 24 acute mental health beds at the Midland hospital.

A highlight of the evening came when community supporters Marc Wayne and Julie Coleman announced their family foundation would match donations made during the event, up to $100,000. Their generosity inspired guests to give enthusiastically, helping drive the event’s remarkable fundraising success.

“The Cedar Ridge BBQ is a wonderful example of what happens when community leaders bring people together around a cause they care deeply about,” says Robyn Kaczanowski, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation. “John and Margaret have created something truly special through this event, and Marc and Julie’s matching gift inspired an incredible outpouring of generosity. Together, they helped turn a summer gathering into a significant investment in the health and well-being of our community.”

The Cedar Ridge BBQ has become a much-anticipated summer tradition, bringing neighbours, friends and supporters together in support of GBGH. Through ticket sales, donations, auctions and matching contributions, attendees demonstrated the power of community-led philanthropy and the impact individuals can make when they come together for a common cause.

Mental health remains one of the most significant health care challenges facing North Simcoe. Last year, more than 1,000 people came to GBGH’s Emergency Department seeking mental health care, yet the hospital is not funded to provide acute mental health services. GBGH has submitted a plan to the Ministry of Health to build a 40,000-square-foot addition that would include 24 mental health beds, helping expand access to care and relieve pressure on the Emergency Department.

“The need for expanded mental health services in North Simcoe is urgent,” says Matthew Lawson, president & CEO, Georgian Bay General Hospital. “Too many individuals in crisis face long waits because there aren’t enough acute mental health beds available in our region. GBGH has a plan to change that, and we are ready to move forward as soon as approvals are secured. We’re incredibly grateful to the Cedar Ridge community, and everyone who supported this event, for helping us prepare for the future of accessible mental health care for everyone who needs it.”

“Every gift made at the Cedar Ridge BBQ sends a powerful message that mental health matters,” adds Kaczanowski. “This community continues to show up for local health care in remarkable ways, and we’re grateful to every sponsor, volunteer, donor and attendee who helped make this event such a success.”

To learn more about the We See You campaign, visit: https://weseeyougbgh.ca/.

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What began a few years ago with a handful of enthusiastic cottagers has grown into a
thriving Padel community of over 200 members. Longtime Muskoka residents Rob and
Kate Wharton spent a decade living in Spain where Padel is deeply embedded in the
culture followed by several years in Dubai, another major hub for the popular sport.

Drawing on that international experience, they founded Bounce Padel Courts and helped to
fuel Padel’s rapid growth throughout Muskoka. Today, Bounce is the leading North
American manufacturer of premium super-panoramic Padel courts. In Muskoka alone, that
momentum has resulted in more than 35 courts and counting.

This past Labour Day Long Weekend, the Muskoka Padel community turned its passion
for the sport into an opportunity to give back, participating in a tournament played across
twelve courts in support of local health care.

“The Muskoka Padel community has tremendous appreciation for the hard work and
dedication of the team at our local Bracebridge hospital, and we were proud to show our
support through the group’s philanthropic efforts,” said Andrew Sheiner, a local cottager
who brought the community together and spearheaded the fundraiser.
The remarkable growth from $38,841 raised in 2025 to $138,250 in 2026 reflects the
generosity of Muskoka’s growing Padel community and its commitment to strengthening
local health care.

“We are truly grateful to the Muskoka Padel community for choosing to turn something
they love into something that gives back” said Tammy Selkirk, Community Giving
Coordinator at South Muskoka Hospital Foundation. “Their generosity is a beautiful
reminder of the heart of Muskoka neighbours coming together, supporting one another, and
helping ensure exceptional care is available close to home. It’s this incredible spirit of
community that makes Muskoka so special.”

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For David Crook, giving back has always been about taking care of the place that helped shape him.

“I’m a Barrie boy all the way,” he says. “There’s not a day that goes by when I’m not grateful to be from here.”

That connection to his community was at the heart of his transformational $1-million gift to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) Cardiac Care Unit, celebrated alongside long-time friends and leaders from RVH and RVH Foundation.

For David, philanthropy and the responsibility to support your community started at home.

His father, Leslie, served as a pilot with both the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War and was shot down in 1941. While recovering in hospital, he met Gertrude Bertram, whom he would later marry. Growing up, David watched his parents make giving back a part of their lives. His father became deeply involved in the Masonic Lodge, and together his parents instilled in David a belief that supporting your community wasn’t something you did only when the opportunity arose. It was something you planned for.

“My parents taught me that giving back to your community was the right thing to do,” David says. “It should be part of your budget.”

It’s a lesson David has carried with him throughout his life.

He has supported RVH in various ways since 1985. In 2015, he made his first $1-million gift to help establish advanced cardiac care at RVH—care that thousands of patients from across the region have relied on since.

Now, as Simcoe Muskoka continues to grow, David is stepping forward again.

RVH’s two existing cardiac catheterization labs (cath labs) are operating at capacity as demand for advanced cardiac care continues to rise. When the program opened in 2018, space was set aside for a future third cath lab, anticipating the region’s growth and future cardiac care needs. That need is now here.

These specialized labs allow cardiac teams to perform minimally invasive, life-saving procedures, including rapidly locating and opening a blocked artery during a heart attack.

“Without another cath lab, patients will face longer waits and longer drives for care,” says Gail Hunt, President and CEO of RVH. “We’re incredibly grateful to David for seeing the need and stepping up for his community. His generosity brings us one step closer to ensuring more patients can receive this critical, life-saving care right here at home, when every minute matters.”

For David, right here at home carries particular meaning.

Years ago, while travelling in the United States, David suffered a heart attack. Far from Barrie, he went through treatment and the early stages of recovery without the family and friends he would normally have turned to for support.

“I know what it’s like to need cardiac care away from home,” he says. “I had to go through treatment and recovery alone. I never want anyone to experience what I did. Having your family and friends near you is so important to recovery.”

That experience shaped the way David thinks about access to healthcare. Advanced care close to home isn’t simply about avoiding a long drive. It means being surrounded by family, friends and community at a time when their presence can matter most.

“David understands something that is at the heart of what we’re working to build at RVH: people shouldn’t have to leave their community to access the advanced care they need,” says Pamela Ross, CEO of RVH Foundation. “His generosity means more patients can face some of the most difficult moments of their lives with their families, their friends, and their community close by. That is an extraordinary gift to this region.”

For someone who has spent a lifetime believing in the importance of community, David sees his latest gift as another way to take care of his.

“There’s a saying when you’ve had a heart attack: time is muscle,” he says. “If this gift means people don’t have to travel south for care and these services can continue to be offered locally, my gift will have done its job.” 

For this Barrie boy, that’s what giving back is all about.

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“To address the illegal drug and overdose crisis effectively, Canadians should have access to a range of supports. That is exactly what the City of Orillia is offering. Through its new Community Connection Hub, people who use opioids and struggle with complex mental health and addiction challenges can access the care and services they need and deserve under one roof,” said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.

“Health Canada’s investment has enabled the creation of a shared community space that brings services together and makes them easier to access,” said Pamela Hillier, Executive Director of Community Connection. “The Community Connection Hub strengthens collaboration among service providers and helps ensure community members can access support more seamlessly.”

The project was made possible through a successful grant application developed by City of Orillia staff, following opportunities identified several years ago by the City’s Addictions and Overdose Crisis Working Group. Community Connection serves as the project lead, overseeing the development and operation of the Hub on behalf of the City of Orillia.

The Hub is located in a shared, co-located space where partner organizations can meet with clients, deliver services, and collaborate in real time. It offers in-person, low-barrier access through a no-wrong-door approach—no appointments or referrals required—and provides warm handoffs to partner services. The Hub will also pilot digital tools with partner organizations to better share client information and coordinate care.

No single organization can address the complex needs of vulnerable individuals alone. While our community benefits from a broad network of services and program-specific navigators, the system remains fragmented. Program-specific navigators often work independently, with limited mechanisms for securely sharing information, coordinating support, or reducing duplication of effort.

For many people facing multiple and interconnected challenges, navigating these services can be overwhelming. When several organizations are involved, individuals are often left to coordinate their own care and retell their stories multiple times. The challenge is not a lack of navigation services, but a lack of connected navigation. The Community Connection Hub was created to bridge that gap by bringing organizations together around the needs of the people they serve.

The Community Connection Hub reflects a collaborative effort among local service providers, Community Connection, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, CMHA Simcoe County, the City of Orillia and Health Canada to improve access to community-based supports for residents.

Located at 250 West Street North, Unit 11, the Hub is now open. Visit https://communityconnection.ca/orillia-cc-hub/ for current hours and details.

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The event marked a significant milestone, bringing the tournament’s total contribution to the GBGH Foundation to more than $1.5 million since 2016. This year’s fundraising supports a renovation of the Pharmacy at GBGH, modernizing one of the hospital’s most important clinical support areas, creating a more efficient workspace for staff while strengthening the safe delivery of medications and pharmaceutical care.

“The Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic has become one of the most successful and inspiring community fundraising events in our region,” says Robyn Kaczanowski, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation. “For nine years, Glenn and an incredible committee of volunteers have brought people together to invest in our hospital. Reaching $1.5-million raised is an extraordinary milestone, and it’s a testament to the generosity of everyone who has supported this event along the way.”

Since its inception in 2016, the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic has become a powerful force for local health care fundraising, supporting priorities like the MRI, Mammography, surgical services and more. Through the generosity of sponsors, golfers, volunteers and donors, the tournament has continually evolved to meet the hospital’s greatest needs while helping advance the GBGH Foundation’s mission.

“What started as a golf tournament has become so much more,” says Glenn Howard, tournament chair. “Every year, we’re blown away by the generosity of our community. Seeing everyone rally behind our hospital is incredibly rewarding, and we’re grateful to every person who has helped us reach this milestone.”

While the 2026 event marked an important milestone, organizers are already looking ahead to an even bigger celebration. The 10th annual tournament in 2027 will be the final event held under the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic banner, with an ambitious goal of raising $500,000 on July 16. Achieving that target would bring the tournament’s lifetime contribution to $2-million for GBGH.

“The bar has been raised once again,” adds Kaczanowski. “With one tournament left to play, we’re excited to see our community take one more swing at making history for local health care.”

For more information about the We See You: Inside and Out campaign, visit: https://weseeyougbgh.ca/.

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Recognizing the need for greater awareness and community conversation, the three Rotary Clubs serving Huntsville— Rotary Club of Huntsville, Rotary People of Action Huntsville and Rotary Club of North Muskoka — are joining together to host a free public awareness event focused on dementia and home care.

“Dementia Can’t Wait: A Community Conversation on Dementia Home Care” will take place on September 17, 2026, at Trinity United Church in Huntsville. The evening will feature a screening of the documentary No More Silent Battles, followed by a panel discussion with experts who will explore the realities of dementia care and the challenges
families face when trying to access support at home.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the film beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The documentary follows the deeply personal journeys of four families as they navigate a bureaucratic and confusing home care system. It exposes the often-unseen battles caregivers face while trying to secure appropriate care and support for their loved ones.
At the same time, No More Silent Battles highlights possibilities for change, illustrating the profound impact that specialized support, community involvement and unwavering family love can have.

“Dementia doesn’t affect only the person who receives the diagnosis. It affects spouses, children, grandchildren, caregivers and entire families,” said Gord Mitchell, one of the event organizers. “As Rotary Clubs, we believe in bringing people together to identify important issues in our community and create opportunities for meaningful conversation. This event is about raising awareness, giving families a voice and helping our community better
understand the realities of dementia home care.”

A Conversation Beyond the Film

Following the screening, attendees will hear from a panel featuring Dr. Jenny Ingram, Geriatric Specialist and Director, and Bill Lockington, Founding Partner of LIF Lawyers LLP and Chairperson of the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton.

The discussion will explore the realities of dementia care, the challenges of navigating home care and the importance of ensuring individuals and families have access to compassionate, appropriate support.

The organizers hope the evening will encourage people to ask questions, share experiences and consider how the Huntsville community can better support people living with dementia and the families who care for them.

Dementia Can’t Wait: A Community Conversation on Dementia Home Care
Rotary Club of Huntsville • Rotary People of Action Huntsville • Rotary Club of North Muskoka
No More Silent Battles
September 17, 2026
Dementia Can’t Wait • September 17, 2026 • Huntsville, Ontario

ROTARY CLUB OF HUNTSVILLE
SERVICE • COMMUNITY • AWARENESS
ROTARY PEOPLE OF ACTION HUNTSVILLE
HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO
ROTARY CLUB OF NORTH MUSKOKA
WORKING TOGETHER

Trinity United Church, 33 Main Street East, Huntsville, Ontario
Free Admission — Registration Required

This is a free public awareness event, but advance registration is mandatory. Space is limited, and community members are encouraged to register in advance.

Registration is available at www.NoMoreSilentBattles.com (scroll to the bottom to register).

Those who are unable to attend but would like more information can contact info@nomoresilentbattles.ca

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Maple Leaf Marinas is proud to announce that its seventh annual Fuel Your Hospital fundraiser raised more than $36,000 for six local hospitals across Ontario, bringing the campaign’s cumulative donations to more than $192,000 since its inception in 2020.

Held over the August long weekend at all 21 Maple Leaf Marinas locations, Fuel Your Hospital sees up to 20 cents from every litre of fuel pumped donated to the hospital serving each marina community.

While less-than-ideal boating weather throughout the long weekend impacted fuel volumes and kept this year’s campaign from reaching its ambitious $45,000 fundraising goal, boaters across Central Ontario still came out to support the initiative and helped generate another significant contribution to local healthcare.

“We continue to be incredibly proud of how our boaters, fuel partners and marina teams rally behind Fuel Your Hospital each year,” said Derek Lubert, President of Maple Leaf Marinas. “Weather is always something we can’t control in the boating industry, but even with challenging conditions this year, our communities helped raise more than $36,000 for six hospitals. To know that this program has now generated more than $192,000 for local healthcare is something everyone involved can be proud of.”

Funds raised through this year’s campaign will support Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation, South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Foundation and Brightshores Health System Foundation.

Fuel Your Hospital was created in 2020 as a way for Maple Leaf Marinas to give back to the communities its marinas call home. What began as a grassroots initiative has continued to grow, with boaters, employees and fuel partners coming together each year to support healthcare close to home.

With more than $192,000 now raised over seven years, the campaign is approaching another major milestone: $200,000 in cumulative donations to local hospitals.
“Supporting the communities where we live, work and boat has always been at the heart of this initiative,” added Lubert. “We’re extremely grateful to everyone who fueled up, helped spread the word or supported the campaign this year, as well as our fuel partners whose contributions help make Fuel Your Hospital possible. We look forward to
continuing to grow the program and reaching that next milestone.”

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This generous commitment helps ensure Huntsville Hospital physicians and healthcare teams have the tools they need to provide exceptional care for residents, families and visitors throughout Muskoka. This latest pledge will help purchase equipment like wheelchairs, critical care beds, fetal monitors, intubation scopes, instrument trays, and a lab refrigerator, lab freezer, and lab software. In June Huntsville Hospital saw 2,188 ER visits and 209 patient admissions.

Partner Larry Greenwood told the Foundation: “When local businesses invest in healthcare, everyone benefits. Supporting Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Business Cares program is a meaningful way we can give back to the community that has supported us for so many years. Helping our hospital means supporting our families, our neighbours, and everyone who depends on Huntsville Hospital. Together, we’re helping build a healthier future for Muskoka.”

Katherine Craine, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Foundation expressed gratitude: “To Larry, his family and Capstone Market/Petro-Canada team, we are thrilled that you have chosen to continue your support with our Business Cares program. You were one of our first partners back in 2016 and this is your third renewal of the Business Cares 5-year pledge. Our community is so fortunate for this kind of loyalty to our hospital! Thank you so much!”

Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Business Cares program has grown into a powerful example of community philanthropy over the past 10 years since its launch in January 2016. These business community leaders have come together to support vital hospital equipment and priority projects at Huntsville Hospital.. Help us celebrate Capstone Market/Petro-Canada and all the Business Cares partners who are passionate about our growing community, and who are taking a leading role in Hospital support.

Trevor Groh, Committee Chair, is joined by Committee Members Pat Dube, Andy MacCulloch, Chantelle Armstrong, Katherine Craine, and Trish Kruusmagi, who are very active in pursuing new Business Cares Partners, and exploring more, much needed support for Huntsville Hospital.

Learn more about Huntsville Hospital Foundation or Business Cares initiative, please visit www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca  or call Development Officer Trish Kruusmagi, 705-789-2311 ext. 2493.

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Getting new doctors close to home is one way to close this gap, giving local families better access to ongoing and proactive healthcare. As communities across Simcoe Muskoka work to improve access to primary care, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is helping grow the next generation of family physicians and encouraging more doctors to build their careers in the region

Several new family doctors are expected to begin practicing in Barrie and area this fall after completing their training with the Family Medicine Teaching Unit (FMTU) in Barrie, a collaboration between RVH and the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.

The Barrie FMTU program provides resident physicians with hands-on training in both community and hospital settings, under the guidance of RVH clinicians, as they complete the final two years of their family medicine residency. This experience equips resident physicians with the skills, experience and community connections needed for their own future practice while helping address the growing need for primary care across the region.

“We know access to primary care is a challenge for many people in our community, and we know RVH can have a role in alleviating that,” says Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg, Chief of Staff and Vice President, Academic & Medical Affairs. “By continuing our collaborative partnership with the University of Toronto, we’re bringing skilled resident physicians to our region and training the next generation of family doctors. It’s important work that we’re proud to be a part of.”

As part of the process to expand its role in medical education and training, RVH helps these residents grow into confident and compassionate physicians while becoming invested in the community along the way.

Of the eight resident physicians graduating from the Barrie FMTU this summer, six are planning to stay and practice locally. Dr. Cezara Ene is one of them.

“I had a very positive experience at RVH and the Barrie FMTU. I’m grateful to all of the preceptors for their time, effort, and support throughout residency,” says Dr. Ene. “I couldn’t have asked for a better residency program and can’t imagine training anywhere else.”

What really stuck out to Dr. Ene was the sense of community and connection she found at RVH.  “The sense of camaraderie was so impactful,” she says. “As we enter independent practice, it’s been very reassuring to know that there is a strong community around us.”

It is this strong connection to the community, along with diverse learning opportunities in real-world care settings that allows RVH’s FMTU continue to attract talented resident physicians from across the province – residents like this year’s incoming Drs. Bayan Khorsandnia, Bhavika Mandi, Chad Turner, Eric Wang, Leah Kogan, M. Shayyan Wasim, Marianne Wauchop, Navah Ball, Pegah Fatemi, and Robert Khatib to the FMTU in Barrie.

“We look forward to working with and growing alongside our incoming residents during their time with us. Our program places top-notch academics and training in the context of genuine community care,” says Dr. Melissa Witty, Staff Physician and Site Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program. “This dynamic creates skilled and well-rounded family doctors ready to provide care close to home. It’s a unique learning environment, and one that improves outcomes for patients in our region.”

RVH extends thanks and congratulations to the graduating residents, Drs. Cezara Ene, Muzna Bano, Rylie Essington, Daniel Friedberg, Chris John, Dhurga Vaikunthan, Noah Yang and Sharon Yang.

Dr. Ene and the five other graduates who plan to practice in Barrie and area this year will help to keep local families healthier, reduce pressures on emergency department services and improve community well-being.

Anyone looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect. The free provincial program is the fastest way to be matched with a primary care provider in the region, and with new providers accepting patients, now is the time to register.

As Simcoe Muskoka continues to grow, RVH is helping build the physician workforce that communities need by training and supporting the next generation of family doctors, creating more opportunities for residents to access care and helping communities thrive for years to come.

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A family-owned and operated waterfront restaurant located at the Midland Town Dock, The Boathouse Eatery overlooks the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay and has long been a gathering place for locals, visitors, families, and staff alike. Known for its welcoming, community-focused atmosphere, the restaurant offers casual dining, fresh and flavourful food, live music, and stunning views of the Bay, making it a year-round fixture in the Midland and Georgian Bay community.

“At the heart of a strong community is access to excellent health care,” say owners Kirk McNabb and Taylor Kendall. “GBGH plays a vital role in caring for our families, friends, staff, and neighbours when it matters most. As a family-owned business, we see how deeply connected our community is and how important it is to support the places that care for us when we need it most. Becoming a strategic partner with the GBGH Foundation is our way of giving back to a place that gives so much.”

As a Business Cares Strategic Partner, The Boathouse Eatery joins the We See You campaign, a $35-million initiative to strengthen care at GBGH through investments in vital equipment, technology, and acute mental health services. The campaign is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for — inside and out.

“The Boathouse Eatery has been supporting GBGH for many years through in-kind contributions and generous donations, and we’re grateful to see that commitment grow in such a meaningful way,” says Robyn Blanchet, key relationships officer, GBGH Foundation. “Kirk and Taylor genuinely care for people — not just around the table, but across the community. This partnership strengthens our hospital’s ability to care for patients and families today and into the future.”

Through Business Cares, The Boathouse Eatery joins a growing network of local businesses who recognize the vital role of health care and choose to invest in its future — helping to build a stronger hospital and a healthier community for everyone who depends on GBGH.

To learn more about the We See You campaign, visit: http://weseeyougbgh.ca/ or to learn more about Business Cares, visit: https://gbghf.ca/get-involved/business-cares/ 

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