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Gord Leonard Golf Tournament and Dinner is a huge success

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In Water
Aug 26th, 2013
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Organizing committee news release August 26 2013
On Friday, August 23, 2013 the Township of Tiny Gord Leonard Golf Tournament and Dinner in support of the Georgian Bay General Hospital new emergency department took place at the Balm Beachway Gof Club with a dinner that followed at the Wyebridge Community Centre.  This golf tournament and dinner was a huge success and although the money is still being added, there has been over $35,000.00 raised toward the Gord Leonard Quiet Room.  This clearly speaks volumes to the reputation of Gord Leonard and the Leonard family, the power of the people behind Site 41, and the cause in the community being the new emergency department with a dedicated room in Gord’s memory and the Story of Site 41.

There were about 210 people in attendance at the dinner with a number of highlights.  The success of the event can be contributed to a number of factors including the dedication of the volunteers, the support of Township of Tiny, the title sponsor Lynn-Stone Funeral Home and Mike and Faye Stone, the Springwater News and Mike and Margaret Ann Jacobs for all the publicity but Gord’s Leadership in the fight against Site 41 was the reason why the event happened along with the need for a Quiet Room in the new emergency department. The support of businesses and individuals along with golfers and dinner ticket holders made the evening an overwhelming success.
There were a number of highlights during the evening but none more touching than the tribute by Anne Ritchie-Nahuis which drew a standing ovation from those in attendance.  It was clear that she touched everyone in the room, especially the Leonard Family and those involved in the fight against Site 41. Full text of Anne’s tribute.
Another highlight was Ina Wood’s butter tarts, sold for $100.00 in the silent auction. Ursula and Walter Kunst, supporters in the fight against Site 41, were the lucky successful bidders. 
In an article from the Toronto Star by Gail Swainson Staff Reporter, Published on Thu Aug 06 2009 — ELMVALE, Ont. “I was at home baking butter tarts for the church when the police called and told us to come to the station,” Ina Wood, 76, said yesterday as she sat on the porch of the couple’s rural home.
The silent auction alone that evening raised over $4600.00
George Lawrence, host and Master of Ceremonies for this event stated at the dinner
“We are here today to celebrate the life of Gord Leonard and the Story of Site 41, and use this celebration to contribute to our local hospital foundation!  Our goal is to establish a quiet room in his name at our hospital, ensuring his memory and the Story of Site 41 will always be with us.”
“The fact that this event is a sell-out is a testament to Gord and the Story of Site 41.  This occasion should also serve as a reminder to all politicians that our environment, water, air and farmland are very precious.”

There were many dignitaries in attendance including our MP Bruce Stanton and his wife Heather, representatives from MPP Garfield Dunlop’s office, Tay Mayor Scott Warnock and his wife Mary, Midland Deputy Mayor Stephan Kramp, and Tiny Councillor Nigel Warren and his wife.  Letters were read from Midland Mayor Gord McKay and Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall.  There was so many individuals in the crowd that were associated with the fight against Site 41.  Over 20 volunteers from the community worked on the event.
Rev. David Black thanked George and Joan Lawrence for all their hard work on the event.  Steve Ogden presented flowers to Bev Leonard in apprecation for all her support.
Quote from Rev. Kathleen Greidanus, volunteer:
“As a priest one of the most difficult tasks one can ever be called upon to do is be with a family at the hospital in the face of a crisis. While the circumstances are beyond our control the environment in which the family gathers can add some much needed comfort. That is the reason I so fully support the planned Gord Leonard Room at GBGH.  Gord was a man of faith, integrity and dedicated to his family. It is very fitting that this much needed facility is named after such a local individual.”
The most important thing to remember about the success of the event and the importance of the dedication in memory of Gord for the Gord Leonard Quiet Room is none of this would have happened had it not been for the courage and commitment by Bev Leonard and her family. Bev has been so humble throughout all of this and although this event speaks to Gord’s leadership in the successful fight against Site 41, she constantly reminds all of that this dedication is also about the Story of Site 41 and the wonderful people who along with Gord fought so hard against it.
It is important to note that the goal of raising $50,000.00 over three years will in all likelihood happen next year (just two years).  Many thought that $50,000.00 over three years was not possible, but then the same thing was said about the fight against Site 41.  Gord Leonard’s memory and the Story of Site 41 lives on.

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