This year’s signature fundraiser – the CNIB Lake Joe Dock-to-Dock: Taste of Muskoka event – gave friends throughout Muskoka and across Canada the chance to help create an enhanced accessible watersport program, including a brand new waterski boat, at CNIB Lake Joe.
Hosted by TV personality Joan Kelley Walker and sports broadcaster Rod Black, the initial goal of $170K was smashed, with generous donors opening their hearts and wallets to raise over $175,500!
Why does blind waterskiing matter? CNIB Lake Joe Advisory Board member Daryl Knudson, a former counsellor and Waterfront Specialist at the camp, has seen countless kids transformed by the experience of waterskiing.
“The sport is thrilling enough in its own right,” says Daryl. “But for kids living with sight loss, it’s a lot more: learning how to waterski or wakeboard is a huge confidence-builder.”
More than 200 “dock hosts,” guests, sponsors, donors, and volunteers came together to support this project and make dreams come true.
Celebrities Joan Kelley Walker and Rod Black spent the afternoon going from dock-to-dock on Lake Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka for fun and giveaways. CNIB Lake Joe Ambassadors – camp staff who live with sight loss – shared their personal stories about how CNIB Lake Joe changed their lives and gave deep thanks to our generous donors.
You can listen to their stories on CNIB Lake Joe’s Youtube playlist.
- Interview with Jason Mitschele
- Interview with Emma Van Dyk
- Interview with Dawn, son Ollie and his buddy dog
All Dock Hosts who raised over $1,000 received a premium curated Dock Box with tasty treats from local Muskoka businesses. The top three Dock Host fundraisers received a visit at their dock with a Pride Marine G23 Paragon waterski boat AND a top surf instructor for a private demo/lesson for their dock guests. Docks were also treated to live music thanks to a visit by the Muskoka Girls’ boat, led by Lara Simonot.
Check out the photo spread in the August 28th issue of the Toronto Star.
“To me, CNIB Lake Joe is a world of endless possibilities. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do that people say you couldn’t do? Or what’s that thing you’ve always thought, ‘oh, that won’t work for me because I’m blind’? Whatever that is, it can be done at Lake Joe. From cooking to camping or learning to physically navigate nature trails to water skiing – if you have the courage to say, ‘I’ll try it,’ you can do anything.” -Derek Thompson, CNIB Lake Joe camper of over 35 years.
Special Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2022:
Key Event Sponsors
Title: NKS Health Canada
Gold: AMI, Mantella Corporation, Pioneer Group
Exclusive 2022 Boat sponsor: Pride Marine Group
Bronze Sponsors: Susan Creasy Financial, Budget Propane
Media Sponsors: Cayman Marshall, Dolce Magazine
Social Media Sponsor: Give Back Collective
Taste of Muskoka Dock Box Sponsors
AMI, Art on Stone, Cayman Marshall, Clear Lake Brewing Co. & Muskoka BeerSpa, Dolce Magazine, Dr. Pearlman, Pearl Rejuvenation, Field of Greens, Jack & Stella, Living Luxe Magazine, McMaster’s Muskoka Fine Foods, Molson Brewery, Mrs. H’s Fish & Chips, Muskoka Brewery, Oliver’s Coffee, Pride Marine Group, Sawdust City Brewery, Silver Stream Farms, Stephen’s Butcher Shop, Tastebuds Ice Cream & Poutinerie, Triple Bogey Brewing Co.
Prize Sponsors
Jayne’s Cottages, Lake Joseph Golf Club, Pride Marine Group, Rocky Crest Golf Resort, Taboo Muskoka Resort; The Oar Restaurant, The Rock Muskoka, The Smokin’ Birds BBQ, Windermere Golf & Country Club
Save the date for next year: Saturday, August 12, 2023, at CNIB Lake Joe!
This summer’s event was all about the surf, but CNIB Lake Joe continues to make waves on the turf too! CNIB Lake Joe’s next goal is to break ground to build a brand-new recreation and learning facility that guests can enjoy year-round!
For more information about this essential capital campaign and to make your gift, visit cnib.ca/LakeJoe