Oshawa lady leads the best way for Neighborhood Care Durham fundraiser

As Community Care Durham (CCD) prepares for its annual fundraising walk, an Oshawa woman will be at the front of the line as the organization’s top fundraiser for the past 15 years.

Lisa Belcourt started with the organization with the inaugural COPE Walk for Mental Health Awareness.

“I couldn’t believe they wanted volunteers to fundraise. I thought I can do that. I love fundraising, it’s fun,” she said.

This year, she will be participating in KMs for CCD, an event that encourages people to walk, run or cycle to help the organization to continue to provide services for individuals who have needs related to aging, physical, and or mental health, and those who cares for them.

The online fundraiser will begin on Sept. 24 and run until Oct. 1. Registrants will have the option of participating virtually, any time, any place throughout the eight-day period or in person at Purple Woods Conservation Area on Oct. 1.

Belcourt was the top fundraiser in the event last year, bringing in $2,491.50. So far this year, she’s on track to beat that goal. She started early and plans to continue right up until the start of the event on Sept. 24.

“I was getting bored, so I thought, OK, let’s go and do some fundraising,” she said.

She said fundraising for CCD is important because it gives her satisfaction in knowing she’s helping people.

What’s the secret to being the organization’s top fundraiser for 15 years?

“I call people I know and I’m not shy,” she said.

Belcourt also enjoys the challenge of beating her fundraising totals from the year before. She raised $1,200 her first year and then tried to surpass that every year, breaking the $2,000 mark last year.

To join Belcourt, participants can register at communitycaredurham.on.ca/kmsforccd, record their progress and follow the progress of their peers or teams. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers and other fundraising incentives with all participants receiving a free T-shirt.

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