Barrie, ON
On Saturday, November 23, the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition (SCGC) hosted its annual Friends Celebration fundraising gala at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre in Barrie. Community members from across the county gathered to raise over $40,000 in support of SCGC’s mission to protect and grow the Greenbelt, promote smart planning, and advocate for sustainable natural resource use.
“We exceeded our fundraising goal for this event,” said Margaret Prophet, SCGC’s Executive Director. “The incredible support from the community, and sponsors like Superior Home Healthcare, The Roost Winery, and WinThinking, who gave an additional $9,200 in-kind contributions, shows how deeply people value Ontario’s natural assets. These resources are essential to our quality of life, and SCGC is committed to ensuring they remain healthy and resilient for future generations.”
The evening’s highlights included an opening and closing by Indigenous leaders Myiingan Minonaakwhe and Heather MacIntyre, performances by musicians Lily Frost and Coco Love Alcorn, live painting by Cathy Boyd—whose two canvases were auctioned in a silent bidding process—and locally produced wine and quinoa beer. Guests also enjoyed engaging on-stage interviews, including one with former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on the topic of women in politics, and a live video call with celebrated author Margaret Atwood.
Atwood shared her personal connection to the area, which spans more than half a century, and emphasized the ecological importance of the Oro Moraine. “The Oro Moraine is a crucial watershed feeding the Coldwater River. If that were covered over with houses, a lot of things would dry up, including people’s wells,” Atwood said.
SCGC is now embarking on a new initiative to identify and advocate for the protection of priority areas in Simcoe County, including the Oro Moraine. Community members are invited to share their input through SCGC’s Local Greenbelt Survey, available here.
