An Oro-Medonte village could lose a number of popular events if more volunteers don’t step forward soon.
The Hawkestone and Area Community Association, which operates the Hawkestone Community Hall, recently posted an urgent appeal on Twitter, stating the hall “and all of its events … are in jeopardy of being cancelled this year.”
“We’re getting older and it would be nice to see some younger blood get involved and help out with some of these functions,” James Hamilton, president of the association, told OrilliaMatters. “The existing board members are burning out.”
The association used to have about 15 active volunteers. That number is now as low as eight.
“We’ve had, basically, the same individuals doing it for up to 30 years,” Hamilton said.
If new volunteers aren’t found quickly, it could mean the cancellation of the Easter egg hunt and Canada Day celebration, as well as the fundraising egg race, pancake breakfast and silent auction.
The egg race, which sees numbered eggs dumped into Hawkestone Creek and collected at the dam, is a “major fundraiser,” Hamilton said.
The Township of Oro-Medonte owns the Hawkestone Community Hall and pays 50 per cent of its maintenance costs. The association covers the other 50 per cent, as well as 100 per cent of the operating costs.
Because the hall is owned by the township, Hamilton couldn’t say whether the cancellation of events would lead to its closure, but he noted, “it would make our operating costs more difficult.”
“We have to generate revenue to keep the hall open.”
While the association is sounding the alarm, it is not ready to give up.
“We’ve been involved in it too many years now to watch it all go down the drain,” Hamilton said. “Unfortunately, it seems everybody wants to come and enjoy (the events), but nobody wants to get involved in the organizing or helping out.”
As the association stated on Twitter, “the community that has given you and your children so much now needs you.”
Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to call Hamilton at 705-487-1526.
