To the Editor:
1936-2021
You might say this idea was born in 1947, except at that time it was called “10 cents for the hospital”.
In 1947 a child had drowned in Southampton and the then Mayor, Ellis Millard, decided that Southampton needed a hospital in the area. The existing hospital had been a tourist lodge and it was bought and slowly turned into a hospital with many additions over the years.
It was my mother’s idea at age 11 to raise money for the hospital by placing two way tape from the Southampton Hotel (where she lived- now the Outlaw Brew Co.) to the current day Post Office. She rounded up all of her friends and they manned the tape making sure no one stole the money. One of her friends that helped her was Gladys Eby of Port Elgin. I am not sure exactly how much money was raised that day but it contributed to the hospital we have today.
Then in 1997, 50 years later, my mom was now a member of the hospital board and for the 50th anniversary of the hospital she set out to replicate all of the activities from 50 years earlier. I am sure she was the only one that sat on the board that had actually been involved in both events!
Now, another 25 years later we are embracing the same activities for the same cause, my mother would be honoured. Having been a polio victim she knew all too well how important it was to have a hospital nearby. If you want to help by donating or volunteering to help with ‘Toonies 4 Tom’ please come by on Sunday June 12th and start collecting your toonies now.
With Thanks,
In memory of Marnie Cammidge (1936-2021)
Kate Cammidge-Irwin
