Ducks Unlimited chapter hosts another successful fundraising dinner

Posted May 3, 2012 By Tony Palermo

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Ducks Unlimited Canada chairperson Len Spoelder (left) presents a certificate of appreciation to Gary Badour (centre) for 15 years of volunteer service to the organization.

Tony Palermo, Smiths Falls EMC

Ducks Unlimited Canada chairperson Len Spoelder (left) presents a certificate of appreciation to Gary Badour (centre) for 15 years of volunteer service to the organization.

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Tim Binch, fundraising manager for Eastern Ontario and Nunavut. The presentation was made during the annual fundraising dinner, auction and raffle at the Lombardy Agricultural Hall. Right, auctioneer William Joynt helps sell many items up for grabs in the auction.

Tony Palermo, Smiths Falls EMC

Tim Binch, fundraising manager for Eastern Ontario and Nunavut. The presentation was made during the annual fundraising dinner, auction and raffle at the Lombardy Agricultural Hall. Right, auctioneer William Joynt helps sell many items up for grabs in the auction.

EMC Events - More than 200 people packed into the Lombardy Agricultural Hall for the 24th Annual Ducks Unlimited Smiths Falls Dinner, Auction and Raffle Fundraiser, on Saturday, April 28.

"All of our tickets were sold out within three months," said chair Len Spoelder.

"As you can see, it was a great turn out."

Well over 100 prizes were up for grabs between the various raffles and auctions, including decoys, guns, outdoors equipment, original art and prints, furniture and various keepsakes.

The event also honoured local artist Joe Foster who, over the years, has donated more than $10,000 worth of his work to Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), and Gary Badour for 15 years of volunteer service with the organization.

The purpose of DUC is to raise money for developing, preserving, restoring and maintaining waterfowl habitat. According to a recent handout, the organization has developed over 2,600 projects involving nearly two million acres and 15,000 miles of shoreline in Canada alone.

Even more impressive is the impact DUC has made locally.

Within a 50-kilometre radius of Smiths Falls, over 112 projects involving 23,895 acres of habitat have been completed.

This translates to over four million dollars that has been invested in DUC projects close to home.

"Gone are the days of people thinking we're just a bunch of boys getting the ponds ready for the ducks," said Spoelder.

"Water is important for all living things, isn't it? Water is a source of life."

Spoelder also noted certain waterfowl species are starting to make a comeback.

"Because of the good work done by Ducks Unlimited Canada, in waterfowl alone, we're starting to see a comeback of certain species," he said. "The wood duck is a great example."

For more information about Ducks Unlimited Canada, please visit www.ducks.ca.