Writer: Lena Thompson
Communities in the 705 are all about giving back and that’s just what Trout Creek area resident Jeff Kmith of Kmith Excavating is doing with the Slide for the Cure fundraiser on March 18th. It’s a cause close to his heart. Funds raised will be going to the Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa where Kmith and his family spent time while his daughter, Jill, was being treated at CHEO for cancer.
“If it wasn’t for that place, I don’t know if we would have gone through everything and stayed together as a family,” Kmith told 705blackfly.com. “We feel it’s time to give back,” he said. “So many gave to us when we were in need; we know there are people still in need – we are able to give back so that is why we are doing the event.”
The event takes place on March 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Old Ferguson Road. It promises to be a fun day for kids and adults full of winter favourites like snow-tubing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and lunch!
Co-hosting the event is Guy Gibson, owner of Mel Gibson Ranch, who also went through cancer treatment. The shared experience brought he and Jeff together.
“We started hanging out a lot,” said Gibson. “I started doing some welding for him, he started building trails for me and he said, ‘We should have a fundraiser,’ and that’s how it began.”
The event has been in the planning stage for approximately a year and there’s 22.5 kilometres of cross-country and snowshoeing trails as well as the option to take the kids tubing.
However, Gibson advised those looking to come out for some winter fun to not GPS Mel Gibson Ranch. Instead, come to Old Ferguson Road – no street number, because it’s an unorganized township. There will be signs in place to guide attendees.
“First you’ll come across Lindsay’s Hill Road,” said Gibson. “Then you’ll come across Slide for the Cure Signs at the “T” in the road then hang a left. The hill is right there. There’s lots of signs around the hill.”
So, break out the snowshoes or cross-country skis and a donation for a good cause and enjoy the final days of winter in the 705.
