Curling for Camp Ooch
Fundraiser helps support camp for children battling cancer
The Curl for Kidsbonspiel was held at the Norwood Curling Complex on Saturday. This is the 27th year for the event, held annually in support of Camp Oochigeas.
Located just south of the town of Rosseau on Highway 141 in the Muskokas, Camp “Ooch” as it is affectionately known was started in 1983 and provides “kids with cancer and kids affected by childhood cancer an opportunity for growth through challenging fun, enriching and magical experiences.”
Camp Ooch is also the only children’s camp in Canada that provides on-site treatment with chemotherapy and blood transfusions. The camp is completely privately funded and receives no government funding.
The Curl for Kids bonspiel is Camp Ooch’s longest running fundraising sponsor. It has been providing support to the camp since 1991. Bruce and Marilyn Wharram have been organizing the annual Norwood bonspiel since 1997 and also started (in memory of Marilyn’s father) the annual Bill Muir Memorial golf tournament in the summer of 2006 with the proceeds also going to the camp.
The annual golf tournament will take place sometime in July. Although the final numbers for this year are not tallied yet, I can tell you that since 1991 the annual Curl For Kids Bonspiel has raised well over $100,000 for Camp Oochigeas. Contributions are still being gratefully accepted of course, so if you would like to help please call Bruce or Marilyn at 705-696-2157 they will even come to pick it up if needed.
Camp Ooch holds a special place for the Wharrams as their daughter Tammy lost her fight with leukemia in 1989 at the age of 18, they extend their thanks to everyone for their continuing support. Special thanks to the Norwood Curling Club for providing an excellent venue, thanks to club staff and the many members who helped out. Thanks also to Denton Currie for his ice making expertise and accordingly the “good ice.”
Local support came from service clubs, the business community and many individuals including contributions from the Norwood Lions and Lioness, The Norwood Friendship Club, Hilts Butcher Shop, J.J. Stewart Motors, Norwood Home Hardware, G.E. Canada (Peterborough Plant), MJ’s Hair Design, Gerow Excavating, The Royal Bank (Norwood), Oakland Greens Golf Club, Insurance Protection Group (Norwood Office), Pyle Wealth Management - Scotia Mcleod, Topping Insurance, Jack’s Restaurant Norwood, Pandora Jewellers, Zeebon’s Signs, Lochhead Lock and Safe, Lyn’s Flowers and Gifts, Alois Flowers, Re Yuze It, Summit Mechanical, Charlotte’s Web, Wrap it up-n-go, Park Plack Financial - Jason Begg, Norwood Pizza and Subs, Gotta Havva Pizza, Nor wood Foodland, Adam Kennedy, Norwood Centennial Pharmacy, Krista’s Hair Studio, Maggie Fifty Five, Upper Canada Fuels, Outram Fuels, Back Alley BBQ, Ontario Seed Company, Wooden Duck Realty, Ralph’s Butcher Shop, Meljesnic Computers, Reg Ward Insurance, Norwood Dentistry, Linlor Farms, Wrap It Up-N-Go and This Little Heart of Mine. There are at least another 50 individuals who donated gifts for the prize table, food for the lunch or simply made a cash donation. Many donors both business and individual have and continue to contribute year after year. Thank you!