Celebrating Our Smart & Caring Muskoka

Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka, John Klinck, celebrated community at the Smart & Caring Muskoka Celebration, at Grandview Golf Club on Friday May 2nd, 2014. Over 100 communitarians joined Klinck celebrate philanthropy and volunteerism in Muskoka and support the Muskoka Community Foundation.

The Mark O’Meara Ballroom was decorated with the banners of the 27 charities and non-profit organizations who were in attendance.

Keynote speaker Warren Jestin, Senior VP and Chief Economist at Scotiabank, spoke about the economics of hope, focusing on the global economy and its effect on nonprofits. And while he highlighted current economic trends in the world, Canada and Ontario, at the heart of his talk was the importance of philanthropy to any economy, and how by strengthening social structure we strengthen community. Dr. Jestin closed by encouraging us to open our minds and look for opportunities to build community through partnerships. He suggested now is the time for all of us to remove the silos and look for opportunities to share resources and synergies, within our sector and beyond, to collaborate and create smarter, more caring places.

Jim Karges, District Vice President at Scotiabank, presents a cheque from the bank for $1,000 for the Smart & Caring Muskoka Fund to the Foundation’s Directors. Grants from this community fund will be distributed in November. The Foundation also announced three special grants to local charities:

• YWCA Muskoka in memory of Betty Hilton,
• Hospice Huntsville on behalf of Cheryl and Randy Cooper, and
• Muskoka-Parry Sound Community Mental Health Services on behalf of District Municipality of Muskoka staff.