The Ontario government is investing $3.2 million in two projects to protect jobs and support the construction of Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Lake Joseph Centre in Muskoka, and upgrades to the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls. These projects are part of the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a provincewide initiative to revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.

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After the success of the first Cookout with Cuddy last year, the CNIB team was excited to bring back the Jim Cuddy Trio on Aug. 17. The event was held at the campgrounds in MacTier and offered attractions like a hot air balloon, a puppy pit and a silent auction in addition to the headlining act. The money raised at the event will subsidize the cost of attending camp at CNIB Lake Joe for blind people of all ages. 

“We are thrilled with the turnout and the overwhelming support we received this year,” said Monique Pilkington, executive director at CNIB Lake Joe, in a press release. “Events like Cookout with Cuddy are vital not only for raising funds but also for increasing awareness about the challenges faced by individuals experiencing vision loss.”

CNIB provides a wide range of free services to blind and partially sighted Canadians and their families. Their programs include support groups, employment workshops, tech training and more. 

CNIB Lake Joe offers camps for children, adults and families in fully-accessible facilities. A week of camp typically costs $2,500 for participants, but thanks to fundraising, families often pay just $150 per camper. 

A major component of the Cookout with Cuddy fundraising came from the silent auction. Items included guitars signed by Jim Cuddy and Taylor Swift, autographed sports jerseys, event tickets, and vacations like resort stays and cruises. 

Retired Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Wendell Clark and HGTV’s Brian McCourt attended as celebrity guests alongside sports commentator Rod Black. Black said the event brought in more than 400,000 reasons to say thank you to all who came, donated and partied together.

“I’ve been part of the CNIB Lake Joe summer gala for a few years now, and this one was the biggest and best yet,” he said. “Not even Mother Nature could spoil a night to remember.  Great entertainment, great food, great people and a great result.” 

Headliner Jim Cuddy brought in enough fans to sell out the event quickly two years in a row, according to organizers. He’s a Muskoka favourite, and the fond feelings are mutual.

“It’s always a pleasure to come to the Lake Joseph CNIB camp and play for the generous donors,” Cuddy said. “I love seeing the improvements each year. It is a very inspiring place.”

To learn more about CNIB Lake Joe, visit the camp’s website.

With files from Stefan Ottenbrite

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Last year’s Cookout with Cuddy raised over $300,000 for CNIB Lake Joe, a camp in MacTier that serves people with vision loss. Each week of camp costs about $2,500 per participant, but the camp typically only charges families $150 for a week of food, activities and lodging thanks to events like the cookout. Steven Smyth, senior manager of philanthropy and campaign lead for CNIB Lake Joe, said it was an easy decision to bring the Jim Cuddy Trio back after last year’s success. The CNIB team is aiming to raise over $400,000 this year.

“We sold out last year in a week, and this year is another sold-out event with double the attendance,” Smyth said. “People were reaching out to us for Jim Cuddy literally the week after last year’s event, so we’re really excited to have him back.”

Jim Cuddy and his team also donated to the cause following their performance in 2023. Smyth said it was incredible to see that kind of support, so just like the fans, the CNIB team is thrilled to see them perform again this year.

Everything about the event is bigger and better the second time around. Their team will offer attractions like a 360 photo booth and a hot air balloon ride in addition to the concert. The silent auction also has dozens of options from artwork and activities to jewelry and vacations. 

The items inlcude two concert tickets to Taylor Swift’s show in Vancouver with airfare included, an Alaskan cruise for two and a jersey signed by Pele. There are also concert tickets to Usher and Dallas Smith as well as tickets for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Raptors and more.

The silent auction is one of the biggest fundraisers for the camp, so each bid helps ensure blind people in Ontario can experience camp without barriers. To that end, the auction also has the option to send a kind to camp without bidding on an item.

“A lot of the kids have let us know that this is the first time that they’ve ever met someone who has vision loss because these kids come from all over Canada,” he said. “A lot of the times folks that are from a smaller town or whatever might not have that representation in their town, so they get to build a community and then keep coming back every year with the friends they’ve built.”

The most common feedback they get from families at CNIB Lake Joe is that the accessible spaces allow their kids to be kids. For many parents of blind children, to have a place where they don’t have to worry about their kids going swimming or tubing or doing countless other activities is a huge relief, Smyth said. 

During the height of COVID, the staff at CNIB Lake Joe created an online camp for all seasons of the year. Though kids have already been back at camp for the summer, they kept the online community going so that people can keep in touch. 

Previous fundraising events have paid for equipment like a rock climbing wall or a boat, but whether the funds go toward the facilities or camper costs, it all helps kids and families experience the joys of camp. Every dollar raised through the auction and the Cookout with Cuddy event helps foster friendships and fund important work.

“Camp is a giant family here,” Smyth said, “and this event is really what helps us get going.”

To see the auction items and make a bid, click here. Visit the CNIB website to learn more about the camp program.

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