Six local charities were the big winners on the weekend as the seventh annual Curl for a Cause bonspiel was played out here amongst much camaraderie and smiles.
There were 24 curling teams packing the Fergus Curling Club, tossing rocks and quips, and bidding on a variety of goods available in a silent auction that organizer Bruce Hawkins said was possible thanks to the generosity of local merchants and businesses.
“We really appreciate all the local support,” he said Saturday afternoon as he wound his way through the packed clubhouse and onto the ice. Before the tally of the proceeds on Sunday, Hawkins estimated the bonspiel has provided various charities with over $135,000.
This year the following charities will share in the proceeds:
– Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington;
– Centre Wellington Food Bank;
– Community Living Fergus;
– Women in Crisis Fergus;
– The Door, Fergus; and
– Kids Ability Fergus.
Hawkins said curlers collect pledges and the donors can designate which charity they want to benefit from their pledge.
But most of the afternoon seemed to be about enjoying late season curling and the company.
“We put the ‘fun’ in fundraising,” Hawkins said with a laugh.
He added that when curlers tell him “You had a great bonspiel” he argues it is not his, but theirs. He said everyone contributes, but he did say a committee of about ten people really do a lot of work to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
Almost all of the curlers taking part are from the Fergus area – with one exceptional exception.
Hawkins said a team from Oakville, representing Sharon Homes and led by Fuzzy Frost has been coming to the event for several years and always brings the largest amount of pledges. The Frost family owns property in cottage country in old West Garafraxa and this year the team raised over $5,200 in pledges for the cause.
“It’s just wonderful of them to do that,” Hawkins said.
And, he said with delight on Sunday, this year they won a game and tied one. “That’s the first time that’s ever happened.”
There were other winners, too besides the local charities.
The bonspiel includes a skills competition and this year it was won by Kasey DeBoer’s rink, which won a limousine ride and dinner for eight at the Captain’s Quarters in Elora. Runner-up Tim Hitchcock’s rink won $100 in gift certificates for dinner at the Gateway Restaurant at Grand River Raceway.
