Mr. Speaker, volunteer week is important, but the good work of community-minded individuals goes all year-round.
This weekend I took part in the seventh annual radiothon for the Elliot Lake Society for Animals in Distress, hosted by the good people at Moose FM.
The event was a big success, bustling with artists who lent their support, volunteers, and of course donors from all around the region, including Debbie Menard from Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin Island. Debbie's $1,000 donation was the largest of the day and helped the society exceed last year's total.
There are other groups all over northern Ontario that work with animals in distress, for instance, Animal Rescue of Kapuskasing, and Retrouvailles D'Animaux de Hearst, just to name a few. These organizations educate our communities, rehabilitate animals and find them new homes. We have come a long way in how we treat animals, but there is still a long way to go.
I thank and congratulate these groups and encourage people to volunteer or donate to support the good work they do in our communities.
Congratulations to SAD and Moose FM on another successful campaign.