We did it!!  The Ontario Foundation for Visually Impaired Children’s (OFVIC) fundraising target for the 2009  Walkathon was set at $30,000 and it’s great to report that we have surpassed that goal!!  To date, we have raised just over $35,000!!!  What an amazing team effort by all.  We could not have done it without you and the support of all your family and friends.    

Reaching our goal is definitely something to cheer about, but we are pleased at the success of this year’s Walkathon for many other reasons.  Once again, the weather was great and because of that, many people came out to beautiful High Park for the walk, bringing with them their families, friends and pets!  It was wonderful to see everyone come together to collectively make a difference for OFVIC, the children and the families we serve.  The joint effort and excitement was obvious as everyone enjoyed the scenic 5 kilometer walk through the park and returned to the fun-filled barbeque and raffle afterwards.  It was a lot of fun to see so many people sharing stories, making new friends, enjoying the food and the prizes.    

“Special thanks to all our Walkers, and to their friends, families and colleagues who supported them!!”  Fundraising is essential to OFVIC in order for us to maintain the quality services the children need and we rely on the generosity of our donors to help make this happen.  Even though we have all been faced with financial strains in one way or another because of the changing economy, our donor generosity did not suffer.  We thank you for your dedication and support.

“We appreciate and thank all the volunteers who worked so hard to help make this Walkathon a success!”  Volunteers are crucial to the success of any event and we are so appreciative of our volunteers help this year.  Every duty is just as important as the other; whether it was cleaning a table when setting up, hanging a sign, sitting at a checkpoint, flipping burgers, selling raffle tickets, or cleaning up after the event, every little bit helps and the day would not have been as successful without the team effort by all of our volunteers.  But, what’s so pleasing, our volunteers do it with a big smile and with a big heart!  

“Thanks” to our invited guests, Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park, and Gerard Kennedy, MP for Parkdale-High Park and his assistant Valerie, who came out to support OFVIC and provided their kind words of support and encouragement.

Many thanks also to David Robitaille (IBM Canada), the Lakeshore Chapter Group (Order of the Eastern Star), and the Forresters Group.  Thanks for your generous support and for coming to our Walkathon with your many smiles and enthusiasm!

OFVIC would like to thank, a very special young man, Samuel Minden, who donated to OFVIC all his gifts from his Bar Mitzvah.  This overwhelming act of kindness for the community has touched the hearts and lives of so many people.  Samuel raised over $11,000 for OFVIC!!!Mazel Tov Samuel and thank you for opening your unselfish heart to the needs of others!!  Thank you also to Samuel’s friends and family who joined us at the Walkathon and for supporting Samuel’s generosity to others.

“Special Thanks” to the Thomson Family, who for the past three Walkathons, have been our top walkathon fundraisers!!  It is always a pleasure having the whole family enjoy our walkathons!!  We appreciate your support!

“Congratulations” to Joe Macri and Family who are this year’s top fundraisers with a total of $3,722!!!!

Special mention also to the Bomers Family who raised $3,240, the Thomson Family who raised $2,480, The Lakeshore Chapter Group who raised $2,259 and to the Shiffman Family who raised $1,762.

OFVIC truly appreciates everyone’s support!!  We couldn’t do it without you!