Bobcaygeon Community Fund
Established to support and enhance Bobcaygeon by addressing diverse community projects in need of effective funding.
The Bobcaygeon Community Fund
The Purpose
The Bobcaygeon Community Fund is established to support and enhance Bobcaygeon by addressing diverse community projects in need of effective funding. Together, we can help create and assist initiatives that support the community for the benefit of residents, cottagers and visitors. There are many opportunities in Bobcaygeon that, with the assistance of the Bobcaygeon Community Fund and its donors, will make a difference in areas that matter most in our community.
Our Projects
Bobcaygeon Skatepark Renovations
For years, Tommy Anderson Park has been a cherished gathering place for our community, where people of all ages come to enjoy the outdoors and connect with one another. In an effort to further enrich this vibrant space, a skatepark was added, providing a creative outlet and recreational haven for local youth. However, over time, the skatepark has fallen into disrepair, with outdated features and safety concerns that are no longer meeting the needs of our community's skaters.
With the help of our local Lions Club serving Bobcaygeon, we’re passionate about revitalizing this important community resource. We're launching a fundraising campaign to renovate the skatepark, transforming it into a safe, exciting, and inclusive space that will inspire a new generation of skaters and foster a sense of community pride.
Our Goal:
$500,000 to breathe new life into the skatepark and make Tommy Anderson Park an even more beloved destination for our community.
Our Vision:
A state-of-the-art skatepark that provides opportunities for:
Skaters of all levels to learn, grow, and thrive
Community members to come together and support one another
Local youth to develop important life skills, such as perseverance and self-expression
Beautiful Bobcaygeon
Impact 32 volunteers need your support to continue to provide the existing hanging flower baskets program and to extend the program to the north side of Bobcaygeon with additional baskets and permanent flower boxes on the two Main Street bridges.
Your financial support will enable the group to continue to enhance the downtown core and add a welcoming crossing from the Lock 32 Bridge to Market Square. The Bobcaygeon Community Fund has partnered with Impact 32 to provide donation management and tax receipts for this ongoing project.
Learn more about the fund:
Leadership
Bobcaygeon Community Fund Committee (BCFC):
Bonnie Harris
Shaukat Mohamed
Carly Poole
Pat Warren
Ann Adare - Committee Chair
Supporters
The Bobcaygeon Community Fund will support local events, activities, community and infrastructure improvement projects and funds. We are all in this together, everyone can have a role to play. Starting a sub-fund, creating a legacy or participating in a project, donors can create a permanent legacy to charity, while making a difference in what matter most to them.
Donate to the Fund
Your kind support and contribution to the Bobcaygeon Community Fund and its many projects is greatly appreciated.
Donate online:
Donate Alternative Gifts:
E-transfer:
Send an e-transfer to info@kawarthafoundation.ca
In a separate email, please provide full name, address, transfer date, and security answer.
Cheque:
Issue to Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes.
Mail to:
Kawartha Community Foundation
Suite 302, 165 Kent Street West
Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y5
Bobcaygeon Community History
Built on traditional Anishinaabe lands, Bobcaygeon is nestled at the narrows between Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes. Built over three islands, the bustling village is located along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. Surrounded by lakes, trails, and tranquil spaces, this energetic community is located at the heart of a unique ecosystem known for its serenity and beauty. This thriving community has a welcoming small-town feel, supported by a dedicated volunteer community.
What our fundholders are saying:
“When the pandemic was declared on March 11, 2020 it was mysterious and frightening. When COVID-19 came to Bobcaygeon a few weeks later it was a shockingly grim reality. Many lives were lost. What could we do? I felt helpless. Working with the Community Foundation and the Bobcaygeon Relief Fund has reconfirmed for me the power of neighbours looking after neighbours. It’s given me hope and a strong sense of gratitude.”
— Dianne Lister, Chair of Bobcaygeon & Area COVID-19 Relief Fund
“The immediate involvement of the Foundation and their ongoing support was the catalyst allowing the Bobcaygeon & Area COVID-19 Relief Fund to spring into action within days of the pandemic outbreak.”
— Jelle Visser, Bobcaygeon Advisor, Bobcaygeon & Area COVID-19 Relief Fund
Meet the BCFC:
Bonnie Harris
A life-long volunteer, Bonnie also brings communication skills and experience to the group. Before retirement, she was National Communications Manager at CIBC and earned many awards including both of the bank's top honours, the Annual Achiever and CEO Awards. Bonnie wrote the website content for Run For The Cure, and several monthly employee communications, and she specialized in writing sensitive customer-affecting letters for the most senior executives.
Since changing from third-generation cottager to permanent resident in Kawartha Lakes, Bonnie has been Communications Director for the Ross Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and as a resident of Bobcaygeon, either led or helped on teams supporting community projects like Impact 32, Communities in Bloom, and Habitat For Humanity.
Bonnie's contribution to BCF will help with fundraising and community awareness. Above all, she truly believes in the goodness and generosity of Bobcaygeon's people and says that conviction led her to write the magazine article “Three Little Islands, One Big Heart”.
Pat Warren
Pat has deep roots in our community. Five generations of her family have lived here, instilling Pat with a strong sense of civic duty. For 25 years, she owned and operated Bobcaygeon and Fenelon X-ray Services and is in tune with the local business community.
Pat is the current councillor for Ward 2, having previously served for 17 years on municipal council from 1995 to 2014. Pat served on many of the City of Kawartha Lakes planning committees including Environmental Advisory, Waste Management, and Planning. She was instrumental in bringing Family Health Teams to Bobcaygeon and supported the formation of the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative to recruit doctors and served on its Board of Directors for many years.
Known for her efforts to protect our environment, she was instrumental in getting the Lake Management Plans initiated to maintain and enhance lake health. Pat volunteered for Environmental Action Bobcaygeon and helped create and launch the Bobcaygeon Farmers’ Market and Wilderness Park.
Presently, Pat is chair of the Joint Advisory Committee for Housing and Social Services, vice chair of Kawartha Conservation, vice chair of the Planning Advisory Committee, vice chair of the Waste Management Committee, and council representative on the CKL Environmental Advisory Committee.
Pat is well positioned to support the Bobcaygeon Community Fund Committee through her in depth knowledge of Bobcaygeon and her participation in many initiatives throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Shaukat Mohamed
Long time Bobcaygeon residents and successful business owners, Shaukat and his wife Habiba operated the popular Pick N Save for 32 years, retiring in 2022.
Shaukat has always cared deeply for his community and has been an active volunteer behind many Bobcaygeon initiatives including being a driving force behind the annual Midnight Madness event.
He has faithfully committed a great deal of his time and energy volunteering for the Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, he has also volunteered on several committees including Kawartha Settlers’ Village, Bobcaygeon Communities in Bloom, Canada Day, Parent Teacher Association, and the Terry Fox Run. Shaukat also sits on the Board of Directors and remains an active volunteer for Environmental Action Bobcaygeon.
Shaukat’s devotion to the Bobcaygeon community resulted in a well-earned Bobcaygeon Citizen of the Year award in 2019.
Although retired from business, Shaukat has not retired from his volunteer activities and will continue his ardent support of the Bobcaygeon community by advising the Bobcaygeon Community Fund.
Ann Adare – Committee Chair
After a successful 20-year management career in the Financial Services industry, Ann co-managed a family-owned computer consulting business. A lifetime local cottager, Ann made Bobcaygeon her full-time home in 2015 and now operates a small cottage rental business.
Bolstered by a strong desire to help and a deep sense of devotion to our community, Ann has supported local volunteer committees including: as chair of the Bobcaygeon & Area Covid-19 Relief Fund; on the Kawartha Land Trust Big/Boyd/Chiminis Island Management Team; as a past steering committee member of Impact 32; on Bobcaygeon Builds-Habitat for Humanity team; as chair of the Bobcaygeon Communities in Bloom initiative; on the Fall Fair/Homecraft Team; as co-chair of Bobcaygeon Trail Town; and as a member of the Mishkodeh project; and Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society.
She spearheaded Bobcaygeon’s first EV station, a walking tours phone app, the Queen’s Jubilee Beacon Lighting in Bobcaygeon (one of only four such events held in Canada) and was a driving force behind the village’s successful top four ranking in the 2021 Hockeyville contest. She also ensured that Bobcaygeon, and several of its businesses, were certified by Ontario by Bike and that the town was the first to be certified as a TSW Trail Town. Ann also initiated and led the Edgewood Wall Restoration project.
She currently serves on the City of Kawartha Lakes Heritage Committee, the Bobcaygeon C.H.E.S.T. Fund board, the board of directors for RTo8 Regional Tourism and is an active member and board director for Environmental Action Bobcaygeon.
Ann’s budgeting, grant writing, and fundraising experience, coupled with her passion to encourage groups to work together, will help lead the Bobcaygeon Community Fund Committee as it works to build donations and to support the Bobcaygeon community.
Carly Poole
Born and raised in Bobcaygeon, Carly has a strong sense of community service fostered by a family legacy of active volunteering and philanthropic participation within the community.
Carly is the Operations Manager behind the successful Buckeye Marine, a family-owned business operating in Bobcaygeon since 1949.
A founding member of volunteer group Impact 32, Carly has worked diligently over the years to support economic development and community beautification efforts within Bobcaygeon. Carly was the driving force behind the additional docking and bike share station installed at Lock 32. Carly also initiated and implemented the wayfinding signage and case maps found throughout Bobcaygeon, and served as co-chair for the Bobcaygeon TSW Trail Town committee.
Carly has been involved in creating village events such as Family Day Frost Fest, Mingle and Jingle, and Harvest Haunt. Along with fundraising efforts too numerous to mention, she is constantly on the lookout for ways to support her community.
Carly also serves as a director on the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development board and the BCDC.
Carly’s active involvement in the community will help the Bobcaygeon Community Fund committee locate funding opportunities and identify needs and projects within Bobcaygeon.