This page was exported from Bancroft this Week [ https://www.bancroftthisweek.com ] Export date:Wed Nov 12 5:17:28 2025 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Andrew Robinson Golf Tourney helps those in addiction recovery --------------------------------------------------- By Nate Smelle For the past five years, Vera Robinson has dedicated herself to organizing the Andrew Robinson Memorial Golf Tournament, an event created to honour the memory of her son, Andrew Robinson, who tragically passed away from an overdose on Sept. 23, 2020. From her home on Papineau Lake, Vera has turned her personal loss into a powerful campaign for hope—raising funds and awareness for the Vitanova Foundation, the Vaughan-based rehabilitation centre that once helped Andrew in his fight against addiction. This year's tournament took place on Sept. 13 at the Lebovic Golf Club in Aurora, where 138 golfers gathered for a day of remembrance, camaraderie, and community spirit. The outpouring of support reflected how deeply Vera's mission resonates. LIUNA Local 183 and IUOE Local 793 came on board once again as Presenting Sponsors, generously contributing a combined $45,000. Chris Hadfield joined as a Platinum Sponsor with a $5,000 donation, and Flair Airlines served as the Tournament Sponsor, continuing its support for the cause. In total, the event raised an impressive $155,000, which will be split between the Vitanova Foundation and the Andrew Robinson Scholarship Fund. To date, the scholarship has helped eight individuals in recovery—each with at least three years of sobriety—cover their full college or university expenses, including laptops and transportation. For Vera, the results speak to what can be achieved when compassion meets action. While the tournament saw its highest fundraising total yet, Vera said this year's success didn't come easily. With economic pressures, rising tariffs, and a tightening market, many of her usual sponsors were unable to contribute. In fact, for the first time since the tournament's inception, the raffle had to be cancelled due to a shortage of donated prizes. “It has been growing every year, but I know it's tough out there right now,” Vera told Bancroft This Week. “I'm not sure how next year will go with the tariffs and the market. This year was it was a bit of a struggle too. Luckily I got the unions to donate, because everybody was talking about tariffs. I had some of my big sponsors that didn't return as well—$5,000 sponsors—because, you know, some of them owned a steel company, while are ridiculous. It was interesting, but I'm just so grateful for what I did raise.” Vera credits the record total this year to one large anonymous donation, which helped make up for the loss of several regular sponsors. Despite the financial uncertainty, she remains committed to keeping the tournament going strong. Founded in 1987, the Vitanova Foundation provides free treatment and support services for individuals and families affected by addiction. Executive director Cindy Cepparo said nearly 19,000 people have received life-changing care through the foundation since its inception. “This fundraiser has helped support the many clients and their families who have needed our programming,” Cepparo said. “We are grateful to Ontario Health for their ongoing funding, but we could not continue to operate without the community financial support through fundraisers such as this. The Andrew Robinson Memorial Golf tournament is very special to Vitanova because Andrew was a beloved member of our community. And each year we can celebrate Andrew and send a message to all our clients that recovery is very possible.” For Vera, the tournament is not only about raising money—it's about transforming pain into purpose. Although Andrew, a former North Hastings High School student, struggled with addiction for more than 18 years, she said he was always eager to help others. The memorial golf tournament allows her to continue that spirit of generosity and compassion in his name. “I'm speaking as a parent and as a sibling,” Vera said. “My brother died last year, and he struggled 45 years with this. It has been in my family a long time and I lived with it a long time… I'm happy to go speak to anybody or help anybody that I can give information. I just want to keep bringing awareness to the community and hope that someday somebody gets the help they need.” Her advocacy has become as personal as it is public. Vera often speaks to other families about the realities of addiction and recovery, and about the importance of both professional and personal support networks. When asked what advice she has for individuals, parents, and families battling addiction, Vera said she would recommend they speak with an addictions counsellor. Narcotic Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous also have meetings which families can attend together, she said. Vera also stressed that self-care is vital for loved ones of those struggling with addiction. “I really suffered with a lot of body issues, because I do all this work running around doing this golf tournament, and trying to just keep moving in my normal life and your life is not normal anymore. So, take time, take a breath and get help however you have to. Do that for yourself, and talk to people. Don't be afraid to talk about it. My name is in the papers so everybody knows, so those who want to judge me can judge me. And believe me there are a lot of people who do.” Unfortunately, Vera said stigma continues to surround addiction, often preventing people from reaching out for help. She recalled a moment that reminded her how far society still has to go in understanding the disease. “The problem is, is there's still that stigma out there,” said Vera. “I play pickleball a few times a week now, and not long ago a woman came up to me and said ‘Oh, I heard your son died a couple years ago. I'm sorry to hear that.' She asked what he died from, and when I told her an opioid overdose, she said, ‘That's awful, but you know that's a choice, right?' I said ‘maybe when you educate yourself, you can come back and we can discuss it further. It took everything I had to stay calm.” Through experiences like these, Vera has learned that compassion and education are key to breaking down harmful stereotypes about addiction. “You have to realize that you have no control over this disease,” she continued. “It is so powerful that people sell their homes, their cars, their souls, their kids to get the drug that they need. I would just say to take good care of yourself and try to learn how not to enable your family member. Enabling is not a good thing to do. You have to learn how manipulative they can be.” The next Andrew Robinson Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Harbour View Golf and Country Club near Barrie. Vera is already preparing for the event and is currently seeking prizes for the silent auction and raffle. Those wishing to donate, sponsor, or participate can contact her at zena_tkw@hotmail.com; or 416-998-6495. For more information about the Andrew Robinson Scholarship, visit www.vitanova.ca. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2025-11-11 22:05:58 Post date GMT: 2025-11-12 03:05:58 Post modified date: 2025-11-11 22:06:00 Post modified date GMT: 2025-11-12 03:06:00 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com