It has become an annual tradition in Huntsville. For the fourth time, Joy Jarvis is swimming 9 kilometers to raise money for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
“The new hospital build, it’s not only good for the residents of Huntsville, but (also) the surrounding communities,” Joy said in an interview with 705BLACKFLY.COM. “To have a new hospital with new things in it, I think it will be really good. Huntsville is busy – it’s booming.”
On Sunday July 26th at 8 AM, Joy will dive into the water at Algonquin Outfitters Dock in Downtown Huntsville. Her swim will take her up the Muskoka River to Lake Vernon, around Gallagher Island and back.
This isn’t a first for Joy. She’s been raising money for a variety of charities by doing long distance swims for the past 31 years – including a 22-kilometre trek from Port Carling to Lake Rosseau.
“I think my swims have always been dreams,” Joy says. “And I tell people that young or old you can achieve it, you can fulfill it, you can do it. Don’t let it hold you back. Just go for it.”
So far, the money that Joy has raised has helped purchase critical equipment such as defibrillators and scanners. This year, Joy is hoping to raise $10,000 for a CT Scanner – and she’s off to a great start. She has already raised $3,487.
Click here to get to Joy’s Just Giving page to make a donation to Joy’s 4th Swim for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation – Raise Muskoka. Or, donate directly to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
Check out our interview with Joy by clicking on the audio file.
