Are Charities in the Ilich Blood?

One of the many things I like about Islay is the fact that a lot of people, if not everyone, are in some way involved in charities. They either organise them, participate in them or donate to them. Almost every fortnight when I read the Ileach Newspaper I find something about an (Islay) charity. This morning I found an interesting story about a charitable deed which relates to the title of this post. The story I found is about a park called "Islay Park" in a village or city called Duntroon in Ontario Canada. The park is in a bad state and a member of the community's centre board, Jim Campbell, an Islay descendent?, is organising a meeting to gain support to revitalize the park. Here is a quote with special attention to the last part that could perhaps explain the title of this post:

Jim Campbell said they are proposing a new parking lot, new playground equipment, a new play field that can accommodate soccer and baseball, a picnic area and mountain bike trails. However, fundraising, municipal dollars and grant money from outside the area are the most likely sources, he said, acknowledging that a timeline for tackling the project is also needed. Campbell said that for years the park was a popular spot with people in the community, especially as a place to play baseball. He and others are optimistic that by freshening up the park it can again become a vibrant focal point for the village. The park was once farmland owned by P.T. McDermid. According to a plaque at the park, McDermid donated the land to the Duntroon Women’s Institute in 1936. He donated the land in memory of his father, Peter McDermid, a native of Islay, Scotland. The Women’s Institute in turn donated the land to the municipality a couple years ago when it disbanded.

Tag: charities