IBISKA has been a strong supporter of the Christie Lake Kids charity for five years, donating and raising money to give kids from disadvantaged families the opportunity to attend summer camp at Christie Lake.

Cathy Loosley, one of IBISKA’s Account Managers, brought this worthy cause to the attention of IBISKA and her suggestion that IBISKA participate in this event was met with much enthusiasm by senior management and staff. 

Cathy receives her award as the top fundraiser

Cathy receives her award as the top fundraiser

Cathy has been personally involved with this charity for many years.  She was inspired by a friend with a passion for fundraising who introduced her to this great cause. Today Cathy sits on the organizing committee of the annual Canoe for Kids event and this year she won the top fund raiser award with over $4,000 personally raised.  Cathy is a dynamite fundraiser, each year her efforts have yielded higher amounts of donations.  She thanks clients, consultants, employees and personal friends who have so generously donated to the cause.

Every year since 2008 under Cathy’s leadership, IBISKA staff has participated in the fund raising and canoe race event, donating personal time and money, and raising a total amount of $41,000.00. The cost to send one child to camp is on the rise, the amount raised has enabled at least 22 children to go to camp. Every year IBISKA as a company has at least matched the funds raised by the team so every individual contribution is doubled adding an extra incentive.

Cathy describes her experience at this year’s Canoe for Kids:

I especially enjoy the day of the event with the opportunity of socializing with many friends; cheering on the team and watching the wins is very exciting.  This year as always the IBISKA paddlers gave it their all, and seeing us make it to the semifinals was truly a rush.  Competition as always was steep, unfortunately our quest ended in the semis without any advancement.  But there is always next year!

It would be wonderful to have 2 boats next year with a friendly competition between consultants and staff in the race and pooling together the funds to make an even larger contribution.  Just a thought!

The best part of this event is that all the money goes to the kids.  Every year Christie Lake holds a breakfast launch to kick off the Canoe for kids event.  This provides a venue for some of the kids to express what the camp means to them and how it has benefited them.  This is a very touching and heartwarming event as you directly see the impact your fundraising dollars has on the kids.