LITTLE CURRENT—Volunteering is all about giving of one’s time and talents. Well, June McConnell’s talent is in raising funds for organizations that are near and dear to her heart. It all began with the Circle of Hope, the Cancer Society group Ms. McConnell joined as a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 1990, having chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatments. “We moved back here (Little Current) before those radiation treatments were finished. I don’t even remember packing,” she said.
In 2000, Circle of Hope, decided to take part in the Dragon Boat races on Ramsey Lake in Sudbury. ‘Hope in a Boat’ is what they called themselves – they were breast cancer survivors from Manitoulin Island, Espanola, Eliott Lake and Sudbury. The entry fee was steep, but they raised the necessary $3,000 and went on to exceed all other groups’ fundraising efforts – their charity, of course, was breast cancer. Hope in a Boat’s registration fee was waived at the Dragon Boat races the following year, “because they wanted us to come back,” Ms. McConnell explained. Overall, in the three times Circle of Hope took part in the races –– they managed to raise close to $30,000. Ms. McConnell raised the most money overall, at $11,000. “I canvased from Gore Bay to Espanola,” she said. She was named volunteer of the year that first year. “I have a plaque somewhere, but don’t ask me to find it,” she laughed.
So began June McConnell’s prowess in raising funds for important causes. “When we moved back (to Little Current), I got involved with the hospital auxiliary and pretty much all I’ve done is raise money for them, selling tickets on different things. We even sold tickets on a 4-wheeler. We raised a lot of money with that! And it all goes back to patient care at the hospital. So those were the major things I’ve worked on, until this ‘Rock-a-thon.’” As with her Hope in a Boat fundraising days, Ms. McConnell went above and beyond the abilities of most of her fellow auxiliary members. “Those have been the last big ones that I’ve done. Raising $1,800 in the first one and $1,200 to $1,400 in the second and third. And I imagine we’re doing it again next year. They’re going to hate to see me coming,” she added with a laugh.
Fundraising is vitally important to keep most organizations afloat, yet it’s a task that does not come easily to many. “It’s a bit of work,” Ms. McConnell admitted with a shrug, “but I don’t mind, and I don’t feel I’ve done anything that anyone else wouldn’t do.” And this is why this life member of the Little Current Hospital Auxiliary is essential to their organization.
by Margery Frisch
