Written by: Dave Keith
The Lakeland Holding Ltd. Group of Companies, Lakeland Power, Lakeland Networks, Lakeland Generation and Lakeland Solutions, all are very community focused and involved. Why wouldn’t we be? The Lakeland Team lives, works, shops, and plays locally.
This year’s look in the rear-view mirror will highlight Lakeland Networks’ great memories and activities of 2003, our year in the community.
We are proud to have sponsored and participated in many events in the early part of the year, Bracebridge’s Fire & Ice and Gravenhurst’s Coldest Night of the Year kept us active in the crisp air of winter.
Living in Canada means spending some of your time at a second home called the arena. We enjoyed providing signage in South River, Sundridge, Burk’s Falls, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Parry Sound. We also are a proud sponsor of the U15 Black – Lakeland Networks’ hockey team of the South Muskoka Minor Hockey League.
Lakeland introduced Community Road Shows this year in South River, Burk’s Falls, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, and Bracebridge. The goal of these evening events was to provide residents and businesses with information regarding who we are, available services (Internet, Digital TV, Phone, Managed Wi-Fi), areas serviced, available plans, and how to sign up. All attendees had the opportunity to enter a draw to win a fantastic gift basket filled with local goodies. We had Lakeland Networks’ Team Members in attendance to answer questions. And of course, beverages and goodies were available.
In the summer we congratulated the students who were awarded the 2023 Lakeland bursaries for post-secondary studies. This year’s students attended Parry Sound High School and Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. We wished them all the absolute best in their educational endeavours.
As well this summer, Lakeland sponsored the 2023 Muskoka Pride Festival, where we promoted services and community goodwill at Bracebridge Memorial Park. We were proud to sponsor Huntsville Disc Golf on the Evergreen Fields Disc Golf course in Huntsville. Lakeland Networks was also happy to be a hole sponsor at the Huntsville Hospital Foundation 2023 Charity Golf Tournament at Bigwin Island Golf Club. Celebration was everywhere as we assisted the Hiram St. Market celebrate their birthday bash on July 8th. We had immense pride in sponsoring the Lakeland Networks’ U17 Muskoka United Football Club; they clinched top spot in the league.
Lakeland proudly backed the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Excellence Awards on September 22nd and the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce 28th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Gala. Embracing Equity was the global theme for International Women’s Day and the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce held a business before hours breakfast in which Lakeland attended and partnered.
Funding was provided to State of the Bay for their 2023 magazine and technical report. It is managed by Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB), a non-profit Canadian charity that works with partners to protect biodiversity and create healthy communities. GBB is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve—an important freshwater archipelago region that promotes solutions for conservation and sustainability. It is managed by GBB, a non-profit Canadian charity that works with partners to protect biodiversity and create healthy communities.
Our online Our Community was busy this year as well with regular posts that included:
- Finding Your Digital Stage: Choosing the Perfect Social Media Platform
- How much internet speed do you need?
- A Community Connection
- The Power of Giving Back
- Community Comes First
As fall arrived and the leaves started to gift us with their changing colours, we joined in the fun at the Bracebridge Fall Fair and Horse Show held from September 15th to 17th. Then we moved on to the Huntsville and District Agricultural Society Fall Fair September 22nd to 24th. Not to forget Lakeland Networks was proud to support the Severn Fall Fair held September 9th.
The year we wrapped up in December as we participated in the 2023 Bracebridge Santa Claus Parade. We have begun sponsorships for 2024 with Bracebridge’s Fire & Ice January 27th, 2024, as well as Gravenhurst’s CNOY (Coldest Night of the Year) on February 24th, 2024. Lakeland Networks has also once again signed up to be the online sponsor for Moose FM Huntsville’s school bus cancellation reports. We are committed to our local communities and believe in giving back. The enjoyment of being involved is just a bonus. Keep an eye open for Lakeland in 2024!