“I’d like to say to anyone thinking about getting involved with CNIB Lake Joe, ‘What would you do if one of your family members was living with sight loss? How would you hope your friends and neighbours would respond to a request for help?’”
Meet Randall Oliphant, a remarkable donor, volunteer, and member of the CNIB Lake Joe Vision Team since its inception in 2016.
In 2021, Randall pledged $60,000 in honour of CNIB Lake Joe’s 60th anniversary and has encouraged others to be part of the ‘The Super Six Challenge’. So far, three other Super Six contributors have each matched his donation: Joan Kelly Walker, John & Norma MacDonald, and the Hogarth Family/The Pioneer Group.
“Like my cottage neighbours, I regard CNIB Lake Joe as a cherished and integral part of our community. We see first-hand the special role the camp plays for Canadians living with sight loss,” says Randall. “We want to ensure our families will share another six decades in beautiful cottage country with this unique camp and all of its guests.”
Randall initially became involved with CNIB Lake Joe through the “Restoring the Spirit” capital campaign in 2002. Several of his family members have been impacted by sight loss, and his involvement with the camp is important to him.
“As a volunteer and member of the Vision Team, I’ve learned how incredible and far-reaching the CNIB Lake Joe impact is. I don’t know if people realize how meaningful a summer week can be for a person living with sight loss. Campers may be experiencing independence for the first time, or they may look forward to their week at the camp all year, with the chance to reconnect with friends,” says Randall.
The CNIB Lake Joe Vision Team is a group of philanthropic leadership volunteers who fundraise for high priority needs and bursaries to boost participation at CNIB Lake Joe. As friends and neighbours of the camp, they lend expertise and advice to support and guide fundraising efforts that power program development and delivery at CNIB Lake Joe while leveraging their networks to help build, strengthen, and steward partnerships.
“The Lake Joe Vision Team has worked collectively to raise awareness of the CNIB Lake Joe camp with local cottagers. The camp is unique in Canada, and I’ve discovered that people are willing to help once they learn about the great work CNIB is doing on our lake. Sometimes all it takes is asking someone to get involved. So, using our personal and professional networks is one of the things the Vision Team does best,” says Randall.
“I’ve also made some new friends and met many terrific people through this volunteer commitment. The staff at the camp and the people at CNIB that I’ve come to know are very dedicated and sincere people. My feeling of connection to the lake has increased, and I’ve certainly broadened my community at the cottage.”
A memory that stands out for Randall is the Dock-to-Dock Fundraiser in 2020, held at the start of the pandemic. 
“We couldn’t come together for an onsite fundraising gala at the CNIB Lake Joe Camp facility due to COVID restrictions, so the event was reimagined as a safely distanced musical experience at our own docks! We received a great charcuterie board, had several boats arrive at our dock with top-quality entertainment, and enjoyed one of the best days of that unusual summer,” recalls Randall.
Every year, our incredible donors support us to help provide fully accessible camp experiences for Canadians living with sight loss and their friends and families. We sincerely thank you for your continued generosity! We’d like to recognize the CNIB Lake Joe Vision team: John Firstbrook, Tim Hogarth, Susan Creasy, Norma MacDonald, Randall Oliphant, Joan Kelly Walker, and Nancy Simonot.
Don’t forget to save the date for this year’s annual event on Saturday, August 13, 2022 – stay tuned!