Miriam Hunt, on behalf of Cobden Civitan Club
COBDEN – Since 2010, Cobden Civitan Club has organized an annual Fishing Derby in February to raise funds for local health service organizations and community projects. Year after year, this fun, family-oriented charity event has been growing in size and popularity.
As with so many things these days, COVID 19 has greatly impacted the 11th Annual Muskrat Lake Fishing Derby. The disappointing news is the “fishing” part of the derby is not allowed due to the Ontario Government’s “Stay at Home” Order that was imposed on January 14th and that will be in effect for at least 28 days. The good news is that the derby will continue with the “10 Grand Prizes Draw,” and it has added a random draw for the 9 Cash Prizes, ranging from $75 to $250 (the amounts previously designated for fishing prizes). Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Hospice Renfrew.
Total value of the two draws (cash and grand prizes) is over $20,000. Grand prizes include a 12 ft. Princecraft boat with 8 Hp Mercury motor, a Big Green Egg BBQ, a Honda 2000 Generator, a kayak, an Excalibur AXR 340 Crossbow, a “Fishing with Jaime” voucher (full day fishing with boat and gear), a Sharp 65” HD 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, a Humminbird ICE -35 Flasher Fish Finder, a Portable Ice Shack and finally, a “Dinner for 4” gift certificate at Whitewater Brewery.
Tickets, priced at $25 each, will be on sale until February 13th and the draws will take place on February 14th. Tickets can be ordered online and paid by e-transfer or credit card. People can also purchase tickets at one of the Ticket Sale Centres. (Details at www.cobdencivitanclub.ca) As mentioned earlier, this year’s beneficiary is Hospice Renfrew.
COVID 19 has created challenging times for all. The Cobden Civitan Club is very thankful for the local businesses within the Renfrew County area who have helped this major fundraiser through either a donation or a sponsorship. The Club also thanks everyone who shows their support by buying a ticket.
The Cobden Civitan Club had initially devised a creative format that would have followed Public Health regulations in place prior to the Stay at Home Order. The fishing portion would have changed to an individual event that was part of a “Catch, Photo and Release” Contest. Instead of a one-day opportunity, the contest would have run February 6th to 13th. Entrants would have taken their caught fish to a “self-serve” measuring station set up on Muskrat Lake. Next step would have been a photo of their fish in the measuring trough. And then to complete the contest rules, entrants would have simply submitted their photo to the Civitan email address.A fishing derby with social distancing in mind.
As the photos demonstrate, the new measuring station had been built prior to the latest Government Order and was ready to go. A big thank you to Olmstead’s Home Hardware who had generously donated the materials, and Moss Roofing who had donated a window for the building.
All is not lost, though. Members are looking forward to using the measuring station at next year’s Cobden Civitan Club’s Annual Fishing Derby!
