The second annual Jump in the Lake Challenge May 1 was an “overwhelming” success and raised more than $50,000 for the proposed wellness centre in Coboconk, organizers said.
Jennifer Wilson, general manager of the Coboconk, Norland and Area Chamber of Commerce said it was an “incredible weekend.”
Wilson said that almost 600 people made a donation.
“What an amazing outpouring of support for this much-needed wellness centre for the under-served areas of Kawartha Lakes,” she added.
The community has committed to raising $1 million for the centre.
The Jump in the Lake Challenge was founded by realtors Dean Michel and Jenny Bacon, who said the community is now well on its way to officially launching the fundraising campaign this summer. Unlike organized polar bear dips that happen in one central location, this event promoted social distancing and took place off each participant’s dock, or waterfront location of their choice.
Over 35 participants jumped into eight different lakes, including Shadow Lake, several locations on Balsam Lake, Canal Lake, Head Lake, Four Mile Lake, Horseshoe Lake and Lake Kashagawigamog in Haliburton.
The new wellness centre will provide a hub for community health in the northern portion of Kawartha Lakes and will include doctors, after-hours care, physiotherapy, dental, a community meeting space and other complementary services that will benefit both full-time and seasonal residents.
Meanwhile, Brandon Nimigon of Century 21 Granite Realty Group Inc. jumped in Lake Kashagawigamog to raise $1,545 for SIRCH.
