Canoeing has long history in Monticello

Canoe for the Legion pushes off Sept. 10



Participants paddle out of the brush during a past Canoe for the Legion event. File photo

Participants paddle out of the brush during a past Canoe for the Legion event. File photo

In 2013, Joe Crivello and Kean MacOwan teamed up to raise money for Twin Lakes’ schools by providing free canoe rides and food to the community. The event, Doin Canoein, continued for two years before later becoming Canoe for the Legion, a fundraiser for scholarships and other community organizations.

Initially, Crivello and MacOwan were given 100 canoes free of charge and much of the food as well as donations.

“The two of us solicited sponsors among White County businesses at $100 each and raised some $12,000 in each of the two years,” explained Crivello. “Beneficiaries included groups at Roosevelt (Middle School) and (Twin Lakes) schools.”

The first canoe event raised $12,000; the second, $15,291.

In 2017, the American Legion Post #81 took over the event, calling it Canoe for the Legion. The Legion raises the money to give scholarships and help other nonprofit causes, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Senior Center, etc.

This year’s event will be on Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Participants should meet at the Legion, 4-5 E. Washing Street. From there, they will be transported to the canoe launch location, close to the Norway Dam. They will then paddle back to the Legion pavilion.

At the pavilion, the Legion will provide burgers, hot dogs, beans, cookies, drinks, and other goodies for free. Some of the items are donated to the Legion, such as the hot dogs from Sycamore Drive-In and the cookies from Kinser’s Bakery. Other items are purchased for a discount or at wholesale from different vendors, such as Kroger.

In the previous two events, a kayak was donated to the Legion, and it was raffled off. This year’s kayak was donated by Rural King. Donations of any kind are helpful as the Legion is allowed to hold raffles under their license.

The post hopes to raise more than $5,000 this year.

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