The Chantry Island Cham-Bettes are celebrating the success of their recent 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser, which raised an impressive $20,000. Lucky winner, Rebecca Tait, received $10,000, while the remaining $10,000 was donated to Bernie’s Boat in support of its Sisterhood Support Fund.
Photos submitted
Adding a special personal connection to the celebration, Rebecca’s winning ticket was sold by Chantry Island Cham-Bettes member Mini Jacques.
Rebecca is the daughter of Ross and Nancy Lamont of Saugeen Shores. Although she no longer resides in Port Elgin, she maintains strong family ties to the community, where her parents and extended family continue to live.
When asked how she plans to spend her $10,000 winnings, Rebecca shared that she hopes to use some of the money for practical expenses while setting aside a portion to create special memories with her family, possibly through a family trip.
A Special Family Connection to Breast Cancer and Caring for Women: There is also a meaningful family connection to the cause supported by the raffle.
Rebecca’s paternal grandmother was a breast cancer survivor who went on to receive specialized training and become an obstetric nurse, dedicating herself to caring for women and bringing new life into the world.
Her grandmother’s experience as both a breast cancer survivor and a caregiver makes Rebecca’s winning ticket particularly meaningful.
This fundraising project brings together generations of women, compassion, resilience and the importance of caring for others.
A Fundraising Partnership That Made a Difference: The success of the 50/50 raffle was truly a team effort, bringing together the dedication and enthusiasm of members from both the Chantry Island Cham-Bettes and Bernie’s Boat.
Ann Kollontay, a member of both the Chantry Island Cham-Bettes and Bernie’s Boat, worked alongside fellow Bernie’s Boat member Kim Hebden to help make the 50/50 raffle a success. Ann also served as Chair of the Cham-Bettes’ 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser.
Their collaboration helped strengthen the partnership between the two organizations, bringing volunteers together in a shared effort to raise funds for the Sisterhood Support Fund.
Members of Bernie’s Boat also helped sell raffle tickets and encouraged community participation, playing an important role in the fundraiser’s success.
Through this partnership, the Cham-Bettes and Bernie’s Boat are helping extend the spirit of sisterhood, compassion and practical support to individuals and families throughout Grey and Bruce counties.
Community Generosity Makes a Difference: The Chantry Island Cham-Bettes have a proud tradition of volunteerism, fundraising and supporting worthwhile causes throughout Saugeen Shores and the surrounding area.
Their successful 50/50 raffle demonstrates what can be accomplished when volunteers, local residents and community organizations work together for a common purpose.
Supporting Bernie’s Boat and the Sisterhood Support Fund: The $10,000 donation by the Cham-bettes will support Bernie’s Boat’s Sisterhood Support Fund, which provides much-needed financial assistance to individuals in Grey and Bruce counties undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Bernie’s Boat: is a Saugeen Shores-based dragon boat team that brings breast cancer survivors together through paddling, friendship, physical activity and mutual encouragement.
The dragon boat team of 70 breast cancer survivors in Bruce and Grey will use this donation to help fulfill its charitable purposes – supporting local breast cancer survivors.
“In 2026 to date, Bernie’s Boat has already given out $4,100 to many breast cancer survivors to help ‘give them a leg up’… from parking, to mileage, to meals, to day care and personal care, we help out where we can and we also provide emotional support,” says organization founder Geordie Farrell.
Additionally, Bernie’s Boat is sponsoring Cancer Care and Comfort Kits which are given out to every breast cancer patient at Brightshores – Owen Sound when they have their first appointment with oncology. The kits provide each recipient with lots of necessities and comforts, along with a binder full of information provided by both the Oncology staff and Bernie’s Boat.
“The day you are diagnosed is the day you become a survivor.”
A breast cancer diagnosis can create unexpected financial challenges for patients and their families. The Sisterhood Support Fund helps ease some of those burdens by providing financial assistance of up to $500 per application to eligible individuals.
The Sisterhood Support Fund helps cover essential expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, hospital parking, wigs, prosthetics, groceries, utilities, childcare and other necessities.
Beyond the financial assistance, the Sisterhood Support Fund represents something equally important: the reassurance that individuals facing breast cancer are not alone and that their community cares.
The Chantry Island Cham-Bettes extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who purchased tickets, promoted the raffle and volunteered their time, including the dedicated members of Bernie’s Boat who helped sell tickets. Together, their efforts made this $20,000 fundraising success possible.
This fundraiser is a wonderful reminder that when a community comes together, everyone can be a winner.
The Chantry Island Cham-bettes is a group of philanthropic women volunteers who support a wide variety of ‘needs’ in the community through their FUNdraising efforts that include an annual Christmas Sale, Sharecrows food fundraiser for local Food Banks, a Garage Sale, Plant Sale and many more.
NOTE: “Watch for Bernie’s Boat in the Southampton Santa Claus Parade! Once again we will be asking our community to help fill our boat, Pearl, with donations for our local food banks.”
