HUNTSVILLE, ON- $36,000 was raised for mental health supports in Huntsville last month.
According to an announcement from the Muskoka Community Foundation, the first annual Laquan fundraiser was held on October 26th in Huntsville. The event was meant to honour the memory of Quinn Groomes, a Huntsville Junior C Hawks lacrosse team who passed away last year.
The money was going towards the Muskoka Youth Mental Health and Wellness Fund of the Muskoka Community Foundation.
The Huntsville Legion, Hunters Bay Radio and Hypervision Signs provided event space and promotion for the event and more than seventy auction items were provided by local businesses.
In addition to the money raised at the Laquan another $18,000.00 was donated by an anonymous donor bringing the total to $36,000.00.
The Executive Director of the Muskoka Community Foundation, Lynn DeCaro, thanked everyone involved.
“Words cannot express how thankful we are to be the recipients of this amazing gift. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Elizabeth Booth who saw the need to make a positive impact on Muskoka’s youth out of a very difficult time in her family’s life”.
DeCaro also thanked the wider Muskoka community for their generosity.
“A big thank you to the special donor who matched the funds raised at the Laquan, all of the local businesses that donated silent auction items and the team that helped Elizabeth put together the first annual Laquan,” said DeCaro, in the announcement.
“Your contributions mean so much!”
Planning has already started for the second annual fundraiser next year.
Booth has already begun planning for the 2nd Annual Laquan noting that
“We need to keep talking about youth mental health in Muskoka and letting our young people know that they are not alone in their struggles,” said Booth.