KATVA celebrates milestone support for patient care in Kawartha Lakes

July 8, 2026 - When members of the Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA) hit the trails, they count kilometres, litres in the tank, and the number of amazing moments they’re collecting. Today, they can add a few more numbers to the tally:  in 10 years of Poker Runs, KATVA has raised $100,000 to support critical patient care needs at Ross Memorial Hospital. The number of lives they’ve touched through their
giving:  too many to count.  

On June 6, they set out for their Annual Poker Run with 218 adult registrants from as far as Ottawa and London, 11 youth participants, 50 volunteers and more than 50 community champions who donated items for KATVA’s silent auction. 

Their goal, as always, was to have a fun, safe day on the trails. KATVA organizers were on track to meet another goal — to raise enough at this year’s Poker Run to make a donation to the RMH Foundation that put KATVA over the $100,000 total giving mark. Their off-roading was on point. 

Through their incredibly successful event and an unexpected anonymous donation, KATVA’s donation to the RMH Foundation is $15,579.44 bringing the group’s cumulative giving to $100,008.44! 

“There’s a reason KATVA’s Poker Run is so successful. It creates a buzz, attracts people from all over, and together they make something great even better,” said Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. “We want to thank the riders, volunteers, sponsors and landowners involved in making KATVA’s Poker Runs such an incredible success. In ten years, you have impacted local patient care with support for the Emergency Department expansion and creation of a Mental Health Emergency Services Unit, as well as funding needs in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit, the OR and the Diagnostic Imaging Department.” 

“This is something every member of the KATVA family should be proud of,” said Rhonda White of KATVA. “Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community, supporting projects that benefit everyone. Here’s to next year! Mark your calendars for June 5, 2027!” 

By reaching this level of total giving, KATVA will receive Founder level recognition with a plaque on the 1902 Society Wall in Ross Memorial’s main lobby. 

PHOTO (left to right): Susan Reeds (KATVA volunteer), Tony Bullough (KATVA volunteer, founding member), Chris Pellow (KATVA board member), Erin Coons (RMH Foundation CEO), Rhonda White (KATVA Administration)