Kathy Rogers and the rest of the Wilberforce FUNraisers group are doing what they can to put their favourite rural community on the map.
For years, even amongst locals, the running joke has been that anyone unfamiliar with the area, who blinks while passing through the downtown, will miss it completely. Or, even worse, keep their eyes wide open, yet still have no idea where they are.
That’s all changed in recent months though, Rogers said, with a group of volunteers raising money to install lights on the ‘Welcome to Wilberforce’ sign along Hwy. 121 and placing a new custom bench outside the Highlands East township offices. Created by Wayne Quibell of Highland Creek Builders, the decorative piece is inscribed with ‘Wilberforce’ in big bold letters alongside a red maple leaf.
“One of our members was saying at a recent meeting that there’s nothing here in town that says ‘hey, you’re in Wilberforce’, so we decided to do something about that and bring a bit of dazzle to our downtown,” Rogers said.
The bench was installed in December and is the latest reminder of the work the FUNraisers do in the community.
With about a dozen active members, Rogers said its mandate is to bring families together and take pride in their community.
Launched about a decade ago as an offshoot of the now-defunct Monmouth Township recreation committee, the FUNraisers are responsible for annual Wilberforce events such as the Maple Syrup Festival and Penny Raffle. They also regularly assist with the Highlands East fire department’s First Responders’ Day.
“Our goal is to see our local town, businesses and municipality thrive,” Rogers said.
Born and raised in the community, Rogers said she was brought up on volunteerism. Her mom was involved in the curling club and first brought Brownies, a sub-section of Girl Guides for those aged seven to 10, to town. Her dad was a volunteer chief with the fire department.
“I guess you could say it was in my blood – being involved has always been very important to my family,” Rogers said. “Being in such a rural small town, the reason we have most of the things we do is because people stepped up to make them happen… FUNraisers are just carrying on the tradition.”
Maple Syrup Festival, taking place April 19, is celebrating its 44th anniversary this year. Planning for the Penny Raffle, a celebrated summer-time tradition for many years, is also on the go.
It was through the raffle that Barb Schofield was introduced to the group in 2016. Another who has spent her entire life in Wilberforce, she enjoys the social interactions with FUNraisers most.
“I just like doing something to enhance the social atmosphere of the town – the whole point is to get people out so they can meet other people and have a good time,” Schofield said. “A lot of what we do is very kid-centric. We’ll be giving away bunny ears to kids at Maple Syrup Festival. We have a lady who dresses up in a costume and hands out chocolate eggs. It’s all about the smiles.”
She also enjoys raising money for the school bursaries program, with the FUNraisers replicating a program in Gooderham that gives money to students pursuing a post-secondary education. The group has distributed six grants since 2017, totalling $3,000.
Rogers said she hopes to receive at least one bursary application this year, while saying the FUNraisers is also planning to invest in Herlihey Park.
To donate, or become a member, contact wilberforcefunraising@gmail.com.
