DUNNVILLE—For over two decades, the Dunnville Agricultural Society (DAS) worked to bring a community fair to the town. Now, as the organization closes, its final act is supporting local healthcare. Members of DAS recently donated the remaining funds from the organization to the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation (DHHF), directing the money toward services at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Gardens.
Michael Philpott, Provincial Director for District 6 of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies, said the donation followed the official dissolution of the society.
“From the dissolution we had funds left over, and a decision was made that it was very important for the agricultural society’s history to have the money go to the foundation for the hospital because it’s important for the community,” he said.
The final contribution totalled $1,500 and will be used for general support of hospital and long-term care needs.
Philpott said the decision reflected the role agricultural groups have historically played in supporting their communities.
Brad Spencer, Chair of the DHHF Board, said donations like this help the hospital meet ongoing needs that are not funded by the province.
“There’s never-ending equipment needs in the hospital,” Spencer said. “Right now, there’s a huge need for beds and stretchers and all that kind of thing.”
Spencer said a significant upcoming cost for the hospital will involve the transition to electronic health information systems.
“The hospital is going to be faced with a huge bill to get their records electronic,” he said.
While this financial contribution is modest, Spencer said the symbolism behind the gift carries great weight. He recalled when the local agricultural community mobilized in support of the hospital during concerns about possible closures.
“It kind of goes full circle,” Spencer said.
Wayne Ettinger, founder of the Dunnville Fair and a longtime member of DAS, reflected on all of the volunteers who lent a hand.
“I just want to thank all those people over the past 20 some years who gave it their all and worked very hard to try and make the Dunnville Fair a good lasting fair,” he said.
Ettinger noted that the fair was organized entirely through volunteer effort.
“However, it was just not meant to be,” he continued. “We ended up coming to the conclusion that it should be dissolved.”
One of the ongoing challenges DAS faced was the lack of a permanent fairground in the community. Ettinger said, “That was our big handicap.”
For many years the fair used Dunnville Lions Park as its venue, but organizers felt the space limited possible growth. Despite those limitations, the fair provided decades of agricultural programming, entertainment, and community gathering for residents.
While the Dunnville Agricultural Society itself may no longer exist, the contributions of its volunteers and supporters helped shape local traditions and agricultural celebrations. Memories of these efforts, and this final support of local healthcare, will live on for years to come.
