Penny MacWhirter, LJI
GASPÉ – On September 20, partridge hunting enthusiasts in the Gaspé area will have the chance to put their hunting skills to the test, while raising money for a good cause.
It is the third year for the Partridge Hunt. In 2023, the hunt raised $3,330 for the Gaspé Cancer Foundation, and almost doubled that amount in 2024, raising $6,476. Their goal for 2025 is $8,000.
Co-organizer Jennifer Jean-Clark says family history played a role in their inspiration to hold such an event. “Our husbands lost their dad at a young age to cancer; they also lost a brother, and two of their siblings now have cancer. My sister and I have a cousin who is fighting cancer right now. My mom had colon cancer at the age of 49 but recovered from it. I used to participate in the Relay for Life but the money didn’t stay in our community,” says Ms. Jean-Clark, who adds that she loves how this money helps people in her community.
The event is open to anyone who has a small game hunting permit. Participants can register as of September 14, right up until after the breakfast on the morning of the twentieth. The cost of participation is $20 per person.
Hunting begins at sunrise and hunters are welcome to hunt in their preferable location. Hunters and the public are invited to a breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at Melanie and Paul Clark’s camp along Clark’s Road at the end of Wakeham, five kilometres off the paved road. Jennifer’s husband, Rodney Clark, works on the road prior to the event to ensure all vehicles can make it to the camp safely and everyone can participate in the activities. For those unfamiliar with the area, there will be signs directing the way. “The cost of the breakfast is $10 per plate and includes eggs, bacon, bologna, hashbrowns, Gail Dorion’s delicious homemade beans and my brother-in-law Paul’s homemade bread,” says Ms. Jean-Clark. In addition, the Gaspé Tim Horon’s is donating the coffee for the event.
Hunters usually start straggling back to the camp with their catches at around 4 p.m. when a light meal of soup and hotdogs (which is included in the participation fee) is served. They have until 6 p.m. to register their catches.
For the second year local duo Dodo and Coco will be on hand from around 1 to 6 p.m. to entertain the crowd. “It is really a great day for family and friends to begin our beloved hunting season and a good way to give to such a good cause,” says Ms. Jean-Clark.
In the past they’ve been able to give a door prize to each registered hunter and hope to be able to do so again this year. “We are getting close to $3,000 in prizes, including the firearm and crossbow that we are selling tickets on. Prizes are given for the biggest, smallest and heaviest catch. This year the hunt is in honour of Virginia Eagle Sinnett who lost her battle with cancer this past spring. Her daughter Karen will be on hand to give out the prize for the biggest partridge,” says Ms. Jean-Clark.
“This year we have a great sponsor. Les Entreprises Morin Donovan has donated over $1,500 in prizes, including a crossbow, hunting tent, duffle bag and backpack. We also have donations from other local businesses.”
In addition to the hunting activity, to raise funds organizers are selling tickets on a crossbow and 410 shotgun. The tickets are $5 and can be purchased by contacting any of the organizers listed below, or by messaging Jennifer Jean-Clark on messenger. “The winner of the firearm must pick it up at Filet Sport Gaspesien in Gaspé, so they’ll need to have a Possession and Acquisition Licence to get it,” notes Ms. Jean-Clark.
If you would like to support this initiative but can’t attend the event, organizers are able to accept your donations. If donating by cheque, it should be made out to the Gaspé Cancer Foundation.
The organizing team consists of Jennifer Jean-Clark, Melanie Jean, Paul Clark, Rodney Clark, Taylor Clark, Dylan Clark, Émilie Rochefort, Marc-Olivier Curadeau and Kassandra Dubé. Ms. Jean-Clark notes that they try to cover as many of the expenses as possible between the three businesses their family own (PAC Pélouse Gaspé, Multi Services JRC and Dépanneur du Versant). “We want as much money as possible to go to the Gaspé Cancer Foundation,” explains Ms. Jean-Clark.
Get to know the Gaspé Cancer Foundation
GASPE – The Gaspé Cancer Foundation came about after Noreen Hackett attended a women’s symposium and learned about the LeMore-Brown Foundation location in New Carlisle, which financially helps cancer patients in the Bonaventure MRC. Noreen realized such an organization was also needed in the Gaspé area.
“We became a registered non-profit Foundation in July of 2003, yet after 22 years of working hard to promote the organization there is still a large percent of the population that are unaware of the services that we provide to our members,” says Gaspé Cancer Foundation President Tony Patterson, who hopes to spread the word about what an important resource the foundation is.
The foundation is managed by volunteers, it is 100% non-profit, and serves a clientele from Grand Vallée to Corner-of-the-Beach, including Murdochville. “We do not pay salaries, wages or remunerations. All funds raised are used solely and exclusively for the benefit of its members,” add Mr. Patterson.
The Foundation acts as a bilingual information centre, and its purpose is to provide financial assistance to those suffering from cancer who must travel outside of our region to receive treatment or consultations. “To this end, the foundation is responsible for providing financial assistance to all members who must travel to Chandler, Maria, St. Anne de Monts, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Québec City, Montréal or Sherbrooke,” explains Mr. Patterson, who adds, that the foundation is often confused with l ’Association du Cancer de l ’Est du Québec.
“Unfortunately, many find out about us after they have been diagnosed and have already been sent outside the area for consultation or treatments. Cards must be purchased, and membership paid 30 days in advance of becoming eligible for financial aid,” explains Mr. Patterson. In other words, it is important to buy a membership, while you are healthy, hoping to never have to use it. But if you receive a cancer diagnosis, you’ll have the reassurance of support from the Gaspé Cancer Foundation.
The Foundation operates as follows: The cost of membership is $15 per person or $25 per couple including any children under the age of 18. To receive assistance, a member must be in good standing with the Foundation for at least 30 days. All members are eligible to receive financial assistance, without discrimination. “Currently, we have over 1,400 paid memberships, with over $50,000 in assistance given to members of the 2024-2025 fiscal year,” says Mr. Patterson.
Since forming in 2003, the foundation has distributed over $650,000 in financial assistance to its members.
The Foundation’s membership year runs from March to March of the following year. “Every year at the beginning of March we have our renewal campaign and over 10,000 blue forms are distributed to every residence and business in the MRC of Gaspé,” explains Mr. Patterson.
In addition, the Gaspé Cancer Foundation raises money through the sale of annual membership cards, in memorial cards, donations, and fundraisers and can issue tax receipts for any amount over $10. “We do not receive financial assistance from any governments, local, provincial or Federal,” says Mr. Patterson.
For members, the financial assistance reference sheets are also available the organization’s website. When signed by the attending physician where the treatment is administered, the member must mail it to the P.O. Box address on the bottom of the form. Payments are made after verifying the members’ information.
The Gaspé Cancer foundation holds an annual general meeting every year, and all activities of the Foundation for the previous year and its financial position are presented to those in attendance. New Directors are also elected at this time.
Mr. Patterson has been the president of the foundation for eight years and was a director for 12 years as well. “We have a great Board of Directors with a number of directors in long standing, who have been with us since the beginning,” says Mr. Patterson. He is thankful for the community support, which helps to ensure the organization’s longevity, “We are very fortunate to have a number of private individuals, like Jennifer Jean and friends who have over the years have either volunteered for or held events to raise funds for the foundation. They are all greatly appreciated and as a non-profit foundation we could never continue to exist without their support.”
Payments for renewals, new memberships, in memorial cards and donations can be made using Paypal at: www.fcg.gcf.com, by cheque, or buy e-transfers: gaspe45@hotmail.com.
To learn more about the Gaspé Cancer Foundation visit their website or email info@fcg.gcf.com.
Mailing address: Gaspé Cancer Foundation, C.P. 6078. Gaspé, QC G4X 2R6