Avonmore Ladies Night rocks for children’s camp fundraiser
During the 4th annual Avonmore Ladies Night Out, Scotiabank Chesterville representative Patricia Stinson presented a cheque for $2,000 to Carefor Camp Erin Eastern Ontario. From left are Nancy Wert, Michele Smith, Nancy Galway, Miriam Vallance, Donna Tinker, Patricia Stinson, North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan and Lianne Acres-Hanna.          Thompson Goddard photo

Carolyn Thompson Goddard
Record Contributor
AVONMORE – The 2017 Avonmore Ladies Night held on May 12 at North Stormont Place in Avonmore raised $11,200 for Carefor Camp Erin Eastern Ontario. Nancy Wert, a member of the Avonmore Ladies Night organizing team, said Camp Erin was chosen to receive the funds raised at this event because it provides “a safe place for children to grieve with others who have lost a loved one to disease, sickness or accident.”

Since the Avonmore Ladies Night began four years ago as a fundraiser for Team Grady’s “We’re NUT Givin’ Up” campaign in support of Stephanie Grady, the event has raised funds for such organizations as Beyond 21 and Open Hands.

The theme for this event was A Little Bit Country … A Little Bit Rock and Roll, with table decorating and costumes inspired by everything from country music to hard rock to western movies. There was even a horse-thieving drama played out, but all the sturdy steeds were eventually safely returned to their owners. Sheila Lefebvre won a gigantic basket of  goodies.

In between bidding on the silent auction, visiting with friends or chowing down on munchies or desserts and waiting for auctioneer Chad Simmons to begin the live auction, there was entertainment provided by various tables including Country Sweets & Rockin Beats, Avonmore Music Awards and Heard it thru the Grapevine.

It was a case of rock versus country with a wide variety of singers belting out lyrics from both musical genres, with the audience being well entertained by all the performers.

Despite the fun and food, everyone knew why they had come together – to support and raise funds for Camp Erin Eastern Ontario. Camp Erin is an initiative of the Moyer Foundation which is designed to assist young people between the ages of 6 and 17 navigate the bereavement process after the loss of a loved one. During the evening a short film presentation revealed how Camp Erin began as part of the Moyer Foundation and the accomplishments in assisting children.

Prior to the presentation of a cheque for $2,000 by Scotiabank Chesterville, North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan spoke about Camp Erin, which began when Lianne Acres-Hanna approached him with the idea of establishing a Camp Erin, with the first camp held in late August 2015.

This year the camp will run from June 16-18 at Rideau Hill Camp near Kemptville. Michelle Smith of Carefor Camp Eastern Ontario commented during a telephone interview on Monday that there will be just over 40 campers between the ages of 6 and 17 in attendance.

She told the story of a young fellow from Montreal who came to Camp Erin Eastern Ontario in 2016. His mother was so impressed with the change in her son post camp that she has begun the process of establishing a Camp Erin in their area. Smith is hopeful in the future other out-of-area parents of campers will feel inspired to set up their own local Camp Erin with the support of the Moyer Foundation.

Nancy Wert expressed her thanks to the community for its support, commenting she “can’t thank all the ladies enough, Lianne Acres-Hanna for all her help this year in support of Camp Erin” and “all I can say is these Country gals sure know how to rock it!”