Housing, mental health, environmental studies to benefit from funds raised by The Scotty

Three local organizations are going to be big beneficiaries from The Scotty fundraising golf tournament.

With over $100,000 raised, Community Living Huntsville, MiND-AID Muskoka and the Stan Darling Environmental Education Fund will be getting a solid boost to their budgets.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison explains that each of these not-for-profit entities provide vital services to communities in his riding. The tournament was held at Grandview Golf Club in Huntsville.

Funds donated to Community Living Huntsville will be used to support the construction of a six-united building providing homes for persons with developmental disabilities.

Housing, and affordable housing especially, has been at the forefront of Aitchison’s work as MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka.

“Housing is a crisis across Canada,” says Aitchison. “Even when I was mayor of Huntsville, housing was a major, major issue. That was one of the reasons I chose to run . . . to try to change federal policy that seems to focus on cities but not small rural communities.”

Huge Need

MiND-AID Muskoka does vital work by helping young people navigate a system of supports that can be very challenging to understand. It’s especially important when a person is in crisis, making it more difficult to figure out.

It is a needs-based, client-centred, cost-free local service that helps young person on their journey to mental wellness.

Founded by Jodie North, who came up with the idea for MiND-AID Muskoka while working at Muskoka Victim Services, the completely donor-driven organization is essential today. It is addressing “a gaping hole and need in our communities,” says Aitchison.

“I don’t have to tell anybody that mental health challenges that particularly young people are facing all across Canada is very real,” he says. “The mental health system is confusing for people, the supports are not readily available, it’s not really understood . . . There is support there, but it’s tough to find it.”

Though the organization is focused on Muskoka, Aitchison has been talking to people in Parry Sound about ways to get the MiND-AID supports to them. One idea is to have mobile hub that can go around to communities. As he notes, there is a great need for mental health supports everywhere.

“Housing and mental health are often related, they’re crucial,” says Aitchison. “Whatever we can do to raise awareness and funds for them, I was excited for the opportunity to do that and make a difference at the local level. You don’t always see the change you’re making at the federal level, but at the local level there is a real tangible difference to be made.”

Honouring a Legend

The Stan Darling Environmental Education Fund honours the memory of former Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Stan Darling. He was an active environmentalist who was a major player in getting the Acid Rain Treaty with the US established in 1991.

Grants are awarded annually in June to one student from each of the riding’s six high schools. The students awarded with the grant are focusing their post-secondary education on environmental studies at a Canadian college or university.

“The Stan Darling Memorial Fund is something I’m a big believer in,” says Aitchison. “Stan Darling was a legend in his own time, and he continues to be a legend in Ottawa circles, as I’m finding out more and more.”

Darling was tenacious as he worked hard to get then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to get a deal done on acid rain with then President of the United States Ronald Reagan. Aitchison describes Darling’s effort and results as “nothing short of amazing.”

“I was a kid in elementary school when we were talking about acid rain and the impacts of it,” he recalls. “To me that strikes me that the kind of tangible, environmental policy and effort that certainly is not very partisan … it’s just tangible work that got done. The partnership with our American neighbours … it couldn’t have happened on our own, we had to work together on it.”

Fast forwarding to today, and Aitchison points out that Darling’s legacy continues to see positive impacts and inspire others. He points out to the AshMuskoka project launched and run by Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, which is supported by other community organizations and individuals.

“This is a legacy of the work that Stan Darling did to get an acid rain treaty … one of the lingering impacts of acid rain is an osteoporosis that results in less calcium in our trees,” says Aitchison.

Results from the past few years of spreading ash in testing forests are showing increased calcium and other nutrients – resulting in healthier trees. Healthy trees have tremendous benefits on the environment as a whole, including increased ability to remove and process CO2.

“It’s an incredible next step in the legacy of Stan Darling, it’s an incredible opportunity for people to contribute in a meaningful way to reducing our carbon footprint and making a change,” says Aitchison. “Making a positive impact . . . To me, it’s not politics, it’s just doing things that make sense. We’re helping people, we’re helping the environment and we’re doing it in a positive way.”

Looking Ahead

Aitchison is quite happy with the results of the event, especially considering it was the first year.

However, as he notes, it wasn’t the first fundraising golf tournament he has hosted. As Mayor of Huntsville, Aitchison was a part of several successful Mayor’s Tournament fundraising events.

With a nod to Myke Malone’s organizing skills and the support received from sponsors and participants, Aitchison says this is a great jumping off point for the event. He’s looking forward to growing the event – and funds raised – year after year.

“We were able to reach folks that were a little further afield this time because of my new role, so we are really happy,” he says.

Around 124 golfers, plus significant corporate sponsorship and individual’s generosity during the live auction event contributed to the amount. Devonleigh Homes is the event’s presenting sponsor – for three years, while other three-year sponsorship commitments where made by Tulloch Engineering (Gold), Muskoka Rock Company (Silver), and Drive Muskoka (Silver).

Next year, The Scotty will take place at Rocky Crest Golf Club in MacTier before moving to Lake Joseph Club in 2025.

By moving it around, they will be looking to grow the funds raised and appeal to wider audiences throughout Parry Sound-Muskoka.

As well, The Scotty is partnering with Veritas Charity Services, which can issue charitable tax receipts for individuals who contribute. A nice bonus for those who are donating funds to the worthy causes.

Aitchison says next year’s date will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.TheScotty.ca for more information and for a full list of sponsors.