GivingTuesday Recognitions

GivingTuesday is described as the world’s largest generosity movement.

On the Tuesday following American Thanksgiving, people are encouraged to express their generosity and make a difference in their community.

Each year for GivingTuesday, Lakeridge Health Foundation recognizes the community members and hospital staff who represent our most dedicated supporters.

Today, on November 28, 2023, we would like to recognize the recipients of our Community Champion and Hospital Champion Awards.

The Community Champion is a person who embodies the spirit of philanthropy by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to Lakeridge Health Foundation and being an advocate for health care in Durham Region.

This year, our Foundation is proud to celebrate Helen Kok, the John Konarwoski Memorial Golf Tournament organizer, as the Community Champion.

In 2015, Helen wanted to do something meaningful to honour the memory of John Konarwoski, the late husband of her best friend Janice.

Helen decided to organize a golf tournament and raised funds for Lakeridge Health and the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, where John received his treatment. The tournament raised over $18,000 in support of cancer care in its first year and has continued to grow.

“John was treated so well, and we were treated so well at the cancer centre, it just meant the world to us,” explains Helen. “So I thought, ‘We need to give back to these people and say thank you.’”

In 2023, the tournament raised nearly $40,000 in support of Our Cancer Campaign, its highest single-year total. Helen and her dedicated team of volunteers have raised almost $200,000 since 2015. Now a summer staple in Ennismore, the John Konarowski Memorial Golf Tournament shows no signs of slowing down.

“There have been no regrets,” Helen says. “We have years and years of planning ahead and more sponsors joining our tournament, so you haven’t seen the last of us, that’s for sure.”

The Hospital Champion recognizes a staff member or team at Lakeridge Health who goes above and beyond to raise funds and awareness for their Hospital. Don Baron and Anne Sinclair are the 2023 recipients for their work with the staff golf tournament.

Following the retirement of a key organizer, the tournament went on hiatus in 2016. Because of the hard work of Don, Anne and their team of volunteers, the tournament returned in 2022.

“We wanted to give the staff, especially after COVID-19, a little relief and help them get out on the golf course,” explains Don Baron, Manager, Engineering. “The biggest reward I’ve had over these last two tournaments is to see the smiling, happy faces of the staff out there enjoying themselves.”

In 2022, the Lakeridge Health Staff Golf Tournament raised over $7,000 in support of Our Cancer Campaign. This past September, the tournament supported Lakeridge Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Programs and raised over $11,000.

The return of the tournament is a welcome addition to Lakeridge Health employees’ calendars.

“Running a golf tournament is so worth it. Just to see everyone together having such a great time,” explains Anne Sinclair, Patient Care Manager in Surgery Ambulatory Clinics and Day Surgery. “The fact we’re able to raise money for important areas of our Hospital at the same time is a bonus.”

Please join us in giving thanks this GivingTuesday and congratulating the 2023 winners!