Paddle for Benny

Join us for a paddle down the Lower Mad followed by dinner, a fundraiser raffle, and live music by the Valley Cats, all in support of mental health wellness programs!

Paddle for Benny is in honour of Leah Kindree’s son Ben, who sadly died by suicide in October 2020 after living with mental illness for more than 20 years. The purpose of this event is to raise money for mental health support. Please give generously. 

Click HERE to donate: https://www.kwpclub.ca/events/paddle-for-benny 

All donations go to the ROBBIE DEAN COUNSELLING CENTRE, a much needed organization in Renfrew County that supports the mental well-being of residents at no charge. To learn more about the services they offer please visit their website at www.robbiedeancentre.com 

On Sept 23rd, join us for a paddle and ‘family float’ raft trip down the Lower Madawaska during the day, then starting at 5pm, we meet at Paddler Co-op for good company, food, conversation, a fundraiser raffle and live music by the Valley Cats, all to raise money for mental health support. 

EVENT DETAILS: 

Sat September 23rd All-Day activities 8:30 am – 11:00 pm

 8:30 – 9:00 am – Paddlers and Rafters meet at Paddler Co-op to carpool / coordinate river trip 

9:30 am sharp – Van & Convoy leaves for Lower Mad paddle (the Co-op van has space for 14 rafters and paddlers, that we will support with a shuttle by returning drivers to Aumonds Bay Put In after dropping vehicles at the Buck Bay Take Out) 

11:30 am – Put-in at Aumonds Bay (shuttle beforehand)

3:30 pm – Arrive at takeout, load vehicles, shuttle anyone back to Aumonds Bay to collect vehicles 

4:30 pm – Rendez vous at Paddler Co-op, dry off, set up camp, catch up with friends 

5 – 6:30 pm – Meal time ( bring $ – proceeds support the Robbie Dean Centre) 

6 – 7:25 pm Presentations:

6 – 6:10 pm – Wayne Donison – Welcome & History of Paddle for Benny

6:10 – 6:20 pm Ryan O’Connor – The Power of Community 

6:30 – 7:00 pm – Guest Speaker Joanne Haskins, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper  – Riverside Water Talk: How water and the land helps us to connect and heal 

7:10 – 7:25 pm – Guest Speaker Monique Yashinskie – The Impact of the Robbie Dean Counselling Centre

7:25 – 7:35 pm – Opening songs by Sylvie Kindree (Sister of Benny) and the Valley Cats 

7:35 – 7:45 pm – Final Raffle ticket sales (bring $)

7:45 – 8:30 pm – Fundraiser Raffle & Silent Auction 

8:30 – 11:00 pm – Live music by the Valley Cats 

To Learn More and Register: 

To learn more go to: https://www.kwpclub.ca/events/paddle-for-benny

Book Your Spot Today: Call Paddler Co-op 613-758-2772 or visit https://paddlerco-op.ca/paddle-for-benny/ to register for camping and confirm your attendance. Camping revenues help offset the cost of putting this event on. 

Book your Family Float raft trip: Call Paddler Co-op at 613-758-2772 or visit https://paddlerco-op.ca/paddle-for-benny/ (max 7 participants; $100/adult; $50/youth under 16; Leah Kindree – Benny’s mom – will be the raft guide). Non-paddlers, weak swimmers and youth ages 6 & up are welcome