Traffic was moving slowly throughout Haliburton village on Saturday (Aug. 1), though it was for a good cause as the Haliburton and District Lions Club held its annual toll booth fundraiser on the Maple Avenue bridge.
Volunteers set up around 8 a.m. and greeted drivers as they made their way in and out of town. One of those collecting, Renee Griffith, said hundreds of people dipped into their wallets to make a donation.
“Such a generous community – even those that haven’t been able to give anything stop and wish us luck,” said Griffith.
One of the passersby, Cathy Dunne, smiled and dropped some cash in the bucket, saying she contributes every year.
David Mills, a longtime Lions club member, said the event raised more than $7,500, which supports various projects and causes in the area. He said the toll booth is one of the club’s top fundraisers.
“This is money we would use to help people if they had a fire or other emergency, or someone who needed new glasses, hearing aids or a wheelchair,” Mills said. “We provide a lot of help to the community that way, focusing on health and wellness.”
Funds are also used to help plan the annual ‘Stories in the Park’, with the latest edition coming up Aug. 26 at Head Lake Park from noon to 2 p.m.
Mills said there will be fun for the whole family, with games such as bean bag toss, mini putt, basketball toss, ladder toss and a fishpond will be available. There will also be a kids’ painting area. Gord Kidd will be performing, while children’s author Carolyn Huizinga Mills will read her new awardwinning book I Drove my Bed to Grandma’s House.
Mills noted all children in attendance will receive a new book they can take home.
“There will be free hot dogs, juice and popcorn. For adults we ask for a donation, but it’s open to anyone. It’s a way for us to celebrate and thank the community for all their support over the year,” Mills said.
