The Muskoka Novel Marathon, which raises funds for the YMCA’s literacy programs in Huntsville, has had a second spectacular year, blowing away its previous record and goal of $15,000 by raising more than $18,000.“Last year we jumped more than $6,000 from the year before, and we figured that was mostly because we added online donation,” says Karen Wehrstein, who shared convening duties with fellow writer Dawn Huddlestone.  “This year I thought we’d go up to maybe $16,000.  That we’d jump another $3,000 just blows me away.  It’s the writers—their enthusiasm, their passion, their inspiration, their love for this cause.  We have superhero cape parties and they’re only half kidding—these people do leap tall buildings in a single bound!  I’m saying this with tears in my eyes.  I don’t even want to try to predict what they’re going to do next year.”

Huddlestone notes that literacy challenges in adults are accompanied by an unfortunate stigma. “The Muskoka Novel Marathon writers are highly literate lovers of words and they get it,” she says. “They get how important literacy is: how much it drives community and economic success, how much it contributes to feelings of self-worth, and how much it adds to quality of life. Their passion has been and always will be what makes this event so successful. We also receive tremendous support from Muskoka’s business community and a raft of volunteers who help us pull this event together. To all of our writers, sponsors and volunteers—thank you for helping us change lives.”

The marathon, which took place July 12-15 in the Huntsville Civic Centre, has raised close to $83,000 since it began in 2002. These funds have enabled the Y to initiate new programs including its Computer Savvy Seniors classes, according to Nancy West, who is team leader for the Y’s Employment and Literacy Services in Huntsville. When she found out this year’s take was more than $18,000, she was, in her own words, “floored. I thought that the goal of $15,000 was very ambitious – I never thought that they would surpass it by such a definite margin!”\

Now, West says, it’s time for the Y to roll up their sleeves. “The YMCA is discussing where the money will be best spent so we can meet the literacy gaps in our local community,” she says. “So many people don’t know that literacy is even an issue in Canada – we need to get the word out that the need is there, the people are real, and that this is a safe and welcoming place to come.”

Contacts:
Karen Wehrstein – Co-Convenor, Muskoka Novel Marathon: 705 789-7497
Dawn Huddlestone – Co-Convenor, Muskoka Novel Marathon: 705 380-2537
 ~ www.muskokanovelmarathon.com