KAWARTHA LAKES: The Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund, created to support the urgent needs of the area patients, families, and health care workers affected by the Coronavirus, has received more than $70,000 since announced just last Monday, March 30th. Bobcaygeon and area patients, families and health care workers in need should contact Councillor Seymour-Fagan at: kseymourfagan@kawarthalakes.ca. The Bobcaygeon and Area Covid-19 Relief Fund will provide immediate support to eligible Bobcaygeon and area residents including food supplies, transportation, technology, and mental wellness counselling. “The response has been incredible,” said City of Kawartha Lakes Ward 2 Councillor, Kathleen Seymour-Fagan. “This is a ray of hope and inspiration amid this horrible tragedy. The generosity shows how much we care about each other,” she added. Funds have been donated by residents in Bobcaygeon and across Kawartha Lakes as well as local businesses and summer residents from the Peterborough area, Cobourg and Toronto. “Oh my goodness, I’m actually crying good tears for once. Thank you and God bless you, from my son and myself,” exclaimed one local recipient when notified she would be receiving support from the fund. The recipient had been home with COVID-19 and just recently had her quarantine lifted. An employee at Pinecrest expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of all of the staff, upon receiving the relief kits on Friday, even though things are still very difficult for them. Funding so far has gone to providing relief kits of food gift cards, gas vouchers and coffee cards purchased from local businesses for staff members at Pinecrest nursing home. To anticipate increased demand, funds have also been provided to the Bobcaygeon Helps Food Bank and to a local agency to hire overnight crisis line staff for people, especially youth, having to self-isolate in homes at-risk of violence and abuse. Funds have also been provided to local residents in need. The fund is being administered by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, advised by a group of Bobcaygeon residents led by Councillor Seymour-Fagan. “This good news really shows [the] strength of our community,” says foundation President Mike Perry. “We are very proud to be able to help and have put a lot of the funds raised earlier in [the] week into the hands of local people who need them,” Perry added. Community Foundations work mainly through expert organizations to deliver funds for goods and services and are also able to provide direct assistance. To donate to the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund, contact Foundation Coordinator Margaret Cunningham at: 705-731-9775 or by emailing: info@kawarthafoundation.ca.