The Blanche River Health Foundation (BRHF) is proud to announce a generous donation of $18,620 from the McGarry Curling Club, which will support equipment needs at the Blanche River Health (BRH) Englehart and Kirkland Lake hospitals. This donation reflects the legacy of the McGarry Curling Club, which was an active community hub until it was forced to close its doors.

Established in the early 1950s, the Club played an important role in the community until a devastating fire in 2008. Despite extensive fundraising efforts to rebuild, the Club was ultimately forced to cease fundraising and close. The decision to donate its remaining raised funds to the BRHF was made in the hope that the contribution would benefit as many local residents as possible.

“This donation speaks to the generosity and spirit of the McGarry Curling Club members,” said Barbara Effenberger, Vice President of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer at BRH.

Rene Boudreault, Vice Chair of the Foundation, added, “The McGarry Curling Club legacy and its members’ community spirit lives on through this donation, and we are deeply grateful. It highlights the importance of supporting local healthcare initiatives, ensuring that essential services remain accessible to everyone in our area.”

The Club’s donation is a reminder of the incredible impact that community involvement and support can have. When organizations and individuals come together, it strengthens the foundation of essential services and community that benefit everyone.

Matt Reimer, a longtime member of the Club, shared, “Although we’re no longer operating as a club, it’s important to us that our final contribution goes to something that will benefit the whole community. Supporting our local hospitals felt like the right way to carry on the spirit of the club.”

To learn more about local events and ways to stay engaged in the Virginiatown and Kearns area, visit mcgarry.ca. Let’s all continue to build a vibrant and supportive community, wherever that is, ensuring programs and services remain available for future generations in our northern communities.

About Blanche River Health Foundation

The Blanche River Health Foundation raises funds for equipment and capital projects at the Englehart and Kirkland Lake sites. With limited government funding for these needs, the hospital relies on community donations to modernize facilities and equipment. As a registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors, the Foundation depends on people’s generosity to support essential improvements, enhance patient care and support the hospital’s mission to make healthcare work for you.

To continue supporting BRH, please consider donating to the BRH Foundation via:

• Cheque to Blanche River Health Foundation
  145 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake, Ontario P2N 3P4
• Your estate planner through planned giving in your will
• Buying lottery tickets at splitthepot.ca
• Or online at brhfoundation.ca

Visit brhfoundation.ca to learn more or to donate.

Pictured

Main Photo:

Back, left to right: BRH Medical Affairs Coordinator & Physician Recruiter France Benoit, BRHF Secretary and BRH President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge VanSlyke, BRH Board Chair Chestor Jobson, McGarry Curling Club member Matt Reimer, BRHF Executive Coordinator Cassandra James, BRH Interim Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer Samantha Saudino, BRH Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer Barbara Effenberge and BRHF Vice Chair Rene Boudreault.
Font: McGarry Curling Club members Claude Daoust, Rachelle Daoust, Wilhelmina Reimer, and Marcel Leduc.

Photo 2:
Back: Marcel Leduc, Norm Jolette, Claude Daoust and Matt Reimer.
Front: Wilhelmina Reimer, Danielle Larouche, Margo Jolette and Rachelle Daoust.