Jeremy Veitch, an 11-year-old boy from Huntsville, is hosting a community BBQ fundraiser in support of Food4Kids Muskoka on Aug. 29.
The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at River Mill Park in Huntsville.
Amanda Ray, Jeremy’s mother, said the event aims to support the local charity by selling homemade fire starters and bracelets with his friends as part of Jeremy’s personal fundraising initiative, which he has named The Peer Project.
She said all funds raised will go toward supporting Food4Kids Muskoka and its efforts to provide healthy food packages to children ages four to 18 who have limited or no access to food on weekends when school breakfast programs are not available.
Additionally, Ray said they aim to raise awareness about the organization and their Weekends Without Hunger program as more kids are needing their services.
“We’re also hoping perhaps that we can encourage other local young kids to get involved and put their own creativity to work to do something cool that’s changing the lives of the peers they see every day,” she said.
Ray said Jeremy and his friend Hudson attended a sportsman show in Bracebridge earlier this spring, hosted by Jeff and Charlene Griffin, where the boys were given the opportunity to sell bracelets and fire starters, raising more than $1,200 for Food4Kids Muskoka.
She said that a few weeks later, the Griffin’s reached out to them about collaborating on a community BBQ fundraiser.
Ray said the event will feature a barbecue by donation, door prizes, silent auction items, a slime bar and signature Peer Project loom bracelets for sale. Lawn games will also be set up throughout River Mill Park, located along the Muskoka River just steps from Main Street.
Ray said Jeremy has set a personal fundraising goal and aims to raise $5,000-a-year for the local charity.
This is not the first year Jeremy has fundraised for the local charity. Last year, he raised a total of $5,100, including $2,500 from selling bracelets with his friends at the Food4Kids Breakfast Gala in November and additional funds from bracelet sales at the downtown Huntsville Christmas markets.
Kristie Shaver, marketing and communications manager with Food4Kids, said Jeremy’s initiative and willingness to help the community are inspiring people of all ages.
“Jeremy and his friends are the next generation of leaders within Muskoka. We know that they will continue to do really wonderful things,” she said.
Shaver said those who are unable to attend the event but still want to support the cause can do so by visiting the organizations website.
