From the left: Kayaking for Cancer volunteer Fred Bortolussi hands Tamara Merkley her scorecard for the fundraising euchre tournament held at the Chesterville Legion on March 7. Thompson Goddard photo
CHESTERVILLE – There was a hint of summer at the Chesterville Legion when the Kayaking for Cancer group held its annual euchre tournament there on Sat., March 7. More than 70 people played cards and raised funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
While working the event’s registration desk, member Fred Bortolussi explained the organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and is expecting a larger turnout at the annual fundraising kayak trip along the Rideau Canal. In a post-event email, Sharon Erdelyi of the Kayaking for Cancer organization explained that every August kayakers attending the annual kayak trip “paddle the 202-km length of the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.”
The group has raised more than $763,000 for the CCS. Erdelyi said the organization “is the number one independent fundraising event in the Ottawa area.”
Bortolussi said usually 35-40 kayakers participate in the week-long kayaking adventure, with organizers hoping the 20th anniversary event will draw more participants. Erdelyi noted many local kayakers have participated in the end-of-summer event, throughout the years; with some paddling for 13 years.
More information on Kayaking for Cancer can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.
