The organizers of the North-South Dundas Snowarama were joined by Kevin Collins, President and CEO of Easter Seals Ontario. From Left: Heather Cooke-Erwin, Linda Clouthier, Easter Seals Community Engagement Officer, Kevin Collins, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario, Steve Barkley. Tinkess Photo

RIVERSIDE HEIGHTS – A lack of snow continues to adversely affect snowmobilers in eastern Ontario, but it didn’t prevent enthusiasts from gathering for a delicious breakfast and a chance to connect with friends at the Riverside Recreational Hall and raise some money for Easter Seals Ontario.

Heather Cooke-Erwin is in charge of the local initiative, and while she agreed that the turnout seemed pretty good, one of the best parts of the day wouldn’t be taking place. Because of the snow conditions, there wouldn’t be a run this year.

“We need more snow,” said Cooke-Erwin. “The snow is not staying so the open fields aren’t good, but in the bush is good.

“A lot of people are selling their sleds, and it is really hurting the dealers,” she added. “We bought our trail passes though.”

A special guest at this year’s event was Kevin Collins, the President and CEO of Easter Seals Ontario.

“We’re so fortunate,” said Collins. “This is the 50th anniversary of the event; it started in 1975 and as we know, Whipper, (Billy Watson) was a big part of the start of this event and drove it for the last number of years. And we’re so happy that individuals within the communities here today continue to support our efforts.”

Like Cooke-Erwin, Collins acknowledged that lack of snow has put a damper on the actual snowmobile activity, but he was very pleased with the support that Easter Seals continues to receive. It’s not a charity that you hear that much about during the year, but as soon as the snow is supposed to arrive, you start to hear about it. Even though there’s not enough snow for the machines to run, it’s good to see a good turnout.

“People do come out to support through the breakfasts but also throughout the year,” said Collins.  “Easter Seals has been around for 102 years, and so our sole focus continues to be supporting kids with physical disability, making sure that they have the mobility and accessibility equipment that they need.

“Also, our camp close by here, Camp Marywood, it’s been around since 1947 and so, you know, that’s a big part of kids with disabilities and their life.”

Easter Seals Ontario has a lot planned for 2025. “We’re just looking to continue to drive, we’ve set our goal of raising over $12 million across the entire province for this year, and so the needs continue to grow for our kids. But we’re excited about 2025, we’re excited about this summer which will finally be a full summer for the kids returning to camp after the pandemic. It’s been a gradual build up, but this year we’re going 100% capacity, and so we’re excited about that.”

Collins took a moment to share something special he had brought with him to Riverside Heights. The late Whipper Billy Watson was a professional wrestler, and since 1975 his name was synonymous  with Snowarama and Easter Seals. Collins had brought Watson’s snowmobile suit adorned with the patches from the rides he had been invited to attend over the years. “That was actually stored at the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), head office, and they called me because they were renovating, and they said, “We don’t know what we’re going to do with this.” I said, I know what you’re going to do with it, I’m going to keep it for our purposes.”

“I still see his wife, Eileen, so I shared it with her too.”

Donations raised through Snowarama help provide children and youth with physical disabilities the tools they need to reach their full potential and make their own positive impact on the world. According to the Snowarama website (snowarama.org) OFSC clubs have helped raise more than $18.6 million to benefit kids with physical disabilities.