Councillor, concerned citizens, set up Bobcaygeon community relief fund
City of Kawartha Lakes Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan and some other concerned citizens are setting up a relief fund for the hard-hit community of Bobcaygeon due to COVID-19.
Nine Pinecrest Nursing Home residents had died as of Sunday evening. All are presumed to have died of COVID-19. It’s the worst known outbreak of the virus in Ontario.
The fund being created by Seymour-Fagan and other concerned citizens will be to help patients, families and health-care workers affected by COVID-19 in Bobcaygeon and surrounding area.
“The stories I have heard about what’s happening are horrible,” says Seymour-Fagan, whose ward includes Bobcaygeon and area. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We have to do something and I know people want to help. We’re in this together.”
The Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide immediate assistance for eligible COVID-19 affected patients, families and health-care workers in the Bobcaygeon area with immediate support including: food supplies; transportation; technology; hiring and overtime costs; and mental wellness counselling.
The fund will be administered by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, advised by members of the Bobcaygeon community lead by Councillor Seymour-Fagan.
“I am honoured that the Foundation was tapped to help take action to address this challenge in our community,” stated Foundation President Mike Perry. “This is what community foundations do: rapid, professional response to helping each other here locally.”
Perry added that he was very pleased that it took less than 24 hours from the time he got the call to when the fund was established, was in a position to issue tax receipts to donors and received its first donation. “There were calls, emails and procedural issues back and forth of course. But this is a health and economic crisis here at home so it’s all hands on deck,” Perry added.
The eligibility of each recipient to receive funds will be determined collaboratively by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and the Bobcaygeon advisors, using best efforts. The approach to determine the eligibility of the recipients of the fund will be accountable as well as generous and inclusive.
The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes will supply the funds to local businesses, charities and municipal bodies to deliver the funded goods and services to those identified in need. All activities undertaken will align with the objects of the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and charitable purposes as defined by the Canadian Revenue Agency.
The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes stands ready to help create additional funds to help the communities of Kawartha Lakes.
To make a donation to the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund, contact Foundation Coordinator Margaret
Cunningham at: 705.731.9775 or by email:
Bobcaygeon and area patients, families and health care workers in need should contact Councillor Seymour-Fagan by
email at
–more to come.
Kathleen Seymour-Fagan and Pres Mike Perry have orchestrated the most intense drive to assist all in need at a time when generosity is a prerequisite of humanity