Fifth annual event provides needed funds for River Valley Cancer Support Group
The River Valley Cancer Support Group held its fifth annual Curl for Cancer bonspiel on Feb. 6 and 7, at the Florenceville Curling Club. Featuring a variety of local musical entertainment, including Zach Peters, Melissa White and Friends, Jack McAffee, and Mark Reid, the two-day event also had a lunch provided by the Bath Lions Club, and several opportunities to win prizes.
Tracey Johnston is the secretary for the River Valley Cancer Support Group. She praised the generosity of local businesses.
“Times are tough for everyone,” said Johnston, who noted that despite economic challenges, many businesses and local farmers stepped up and donated to the event. “They donated hats, gift cards, money, and more.”
Larger prizes included a local beef package, a fire pit, and a homemade quilt. Johnston said that businesses like to donate to their event because “all the money that is raised here, stays here,” and is used to support local cancer patients and their families.
A total of 18 teams participated in this year’s bonspiel.
Brent Brown is president of the Florenceville Curling Club. He said his group was honoured to host the event again.
“It’s for a good cause, it’s great fun, and this event is also a good way to introduce new people to the sport of curling,” said Brown, who said this year’s event was particularly meaningful to as many in the club chose to curl in memory and honour of club member, Ralph Homes, who recently passed away from cancer.
“I will forever miss my friend and my skip,” he said.
Jacob Elsinga is a local pharmacy technician who curled on the “Pharma-Sweepers” team comprised of Pharmacy for Life & Northern Carleton Pharmacy employees. He said he chose to participate in the event because of his job.
“You see many of your patients and their families affected by cancer. We know the good work that the River Valley Cancer Support Group does to support local cancer patients, and as healthcare providers, we wanted to be able to give back to that cause.”
Elsinga said he appreciates that the event brings people together and allows them to have a good time, all for a good cause.
“We are doing the easy work – curling, having fun, and fundraising. It’s the patients that we are raising the money for that are doing the hard job.”
Johnston told the River Valley Sun that this year’s bonspiel raised over $42,000.
The top fundraising team was “Team Gadgets,” comprised of John Brown, Dawn Murray, Kathy LeBlanc, and Mary Turnbull. John Brown was the top individual fundraiser. The overall winning team was Florenceville Rotary Rocks, with members Derek Johnston, Kathy LeBlanc, Oscar Lévesque, Tony Trafford and Reg Wasson.
Johnston extended a warm thanks to all their sponsors, including their main sponsor, BMR Best Home Building Supplies, and to all those who donated their time, money, and effort to help make the event such a success.
