Night of Purpose: Paddle Film Festival 2025 – Final Recap
Hosted by: * Sudbury Rotary Club Sunrisers’s “4 for All” team
Proudly Sponsored By: * The Lougheed Foundation * Ramakko’s Source For Adventure * Journal Printing
This wasn’t just a film festival. It was a mirror.
A mirror reflecting the quiet, everyday strength of people who rarely get center stage.
It’s easy to cheer for an athlete charging through whitewater. It’s harder to notice the parent navigating a wheelchair through a snowy sidewalk. Or the adult with a developmental disability trying to find work, connection, and independence. Or the young man who can’t speak, but communicates through his art, his paddle, his presence.
L’Arche. Independent Living. The All Abilities Paddle Program. They don’t just offer services. They restore dignity. They create spaces where people aren’t pitied—they are celebrated.
Because belonging isn’t a luxury. It’s a human right.
The films we watched showed us people surviving storms. But in Sudbury, the real stories unfold daily— in group homes, paddle clubs, and apartments where someone is learning to live on their own for the first time.
Final Impact
Thanks to your support, $2,685 was raised and will be equally distributed to: * L’Arche Sudbury * Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin * All Abilities Paddle Program (Sudbury Canoe Club) (Rotary’s contribution, along with sponsor support, covered expenses—allowing every donation to make a direct impact.)
More Than Numbers – A Community Shift
This night wasn’t just about what we raised. It was about what we created.
We saw guests light up with joy—not just because they were seen, but because they were part of something.
They loved the films. They laughed and posed in the photo cube. They shared conversations, made new connections, and experienced a night where everyone belonged.
The room felt warm, open, and alive.
For many, it was the first time individuals of all abilities weren’t just included—they were celebrated, centered, and proudly represented.
That’s what this night was about. Community, connection, and belonging—for everyone.
And if this is what we built in year one— just imagine what year two will bring.
With Deepest Gratitude
To Mayor Paul Lefebvre, Jennifer Caruso of L’Arche, the Independent Living team, James Mann Coach for the All Abilities Program at the Sudbury Canoe Club, Morgan and our local artists, the student volunteers from both LoEllen Secondary and Cambrian College, and other amazing volunteers, our Rotary Sunrisers team along with every guest who showed up with heart—thank you. You brought this vision to life.
Final Call to Give If you or your organization would still like to match a gift or contribute, please do so by Thursday before final fund distributions are made.
Donate or match today to keep the ripple going.
Because this isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning.
Night of Purpose: Paddle Film Festival 2025 – Final Recap
Hosted by:
* Sudbury Rotary Club Sunrisers’s “4 for All” team
Proudly Sponsored By:
* The Lougheed Foundation
* Ramakko’s Source For Adventure
* Journal Printing
This wasn’t just a film festival.
It was a mirror.
A mirror reflecting the quiet, everyday strength of people who rarely get center stage.
It’s easy to cheer for an athlete charging through whitewater.
It’s harder to notice the parent navigating a wheelchair through a snowy sidewalk.
Or the adult with a developmental disability trying to find work, connection, and independence.
Or the young man who can’t speak, but communicates through his art, his paddle, his presence.
L’Arche. Independent Living. The All Abilities Paddle Program.
They don’t just offer services.
They restore dignity.
They create spaces where people aren’t pitied—they are celebrated.
Because belonging isn’t a luxury. It’s a human right.
The films we watched showed us people surviving storms.
But in Sudbury, the real stories unfold daily—
in group homes, paddle clubs, and apartments where someone is learning to live on their own for the first time.
Final Impact
Thanks to your support, $2,685 was raised and will be equally distributed to:
* L’Arche Sudbury
* Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin
* All Abilities Paddle Program (Sudbury Canoe Club)
(Rotary’s contribution, along with sponsor support, covered expenses—allowing every donation to make a direct impact.)
More Than Numbers – A Community Shift
This night wasn’t just about what we raised.
It was about what we created.
We saw guests light up with joy—not just because they were seen,
but because they were part of something.
They loved the films.
They laughed and posed in the photo cube.
They shared conversations, made new connections, and experienced a night where everyone belonged.
The room felt warm, open, and alive.
For many, it was the first time individuals of all abilities weren’t just included—they were celebrated, centered, and proudly represented.
That’s what this night was about.
Community, connection, and belonging—for everyone.
And if this is what we built in year one—
just imagine what year two will bring.
With Deepest Gratitude
To Mayor Paul Lefebvre, Jennifer Caruso of L’Arche, the Independent Living team, James Mann Coach for the All Abilities Program at the Sudbury Canoe Club, Morgan and our local artists, the student volunteers from both LoEllen Secondary and Cambrian College, and other amazing volunteers, our Rotary Sunrisers team along with every guest who showed up with heart—thank you.
You brought this vision to life.
Final Call to Give
If you or your organization would still like to match a gift or contribute, please do so by Thursday before final fund distributions are made.
Donate or match today to keep the ripple going.
Because this isn’t the end.
It’s only the beginning.