AMHERST, N.S. — Thousands of dollars have been raised for children in the area since the man known as ‘Uncle Alf’ introduced the Kool Aid Kids to children of cottagers in the Amherst Shore more than 50 years ago.
The latest members of the Kool Aid Kids, although smaller in number, have again come through raising money for both the Four Fathers Memorial Library and Northport Elementary School.
“This year we decided we wanted to do something in memory of Ted Pettit and his wife thought the library would be something Ted would want to support,” Kool Aid kids president Stephanie Atherton said. “We raised about $1,700, which is quite a lot consider through most of July our numbers were pretty low.”
Atherton said there is enough money to give $1,000 each to the library and the school.
It was in 1967 when Alf Murdock first brought together the Amherst Shore Centennial Summer Club. That first year $10.75 was raised that went toward putting in a wishing well at Camp Tidnish that’s owned by the Amherst Rotary Club, of which Murdock was a member.
Since then, more than $25,000 has been raised – much of which has gone to the camp operated by Easter Seals Nova Scotia – including two washing machines, four canoes, swing sets, a fan for the kitchen, a vacuum cleaner, lawnmower, life jackets, a pool heater and toward the purchase of land.
The children decide what to support and go out and do the fundraising. At one time, they went door to door asking for donations, but began to become more creative with a drink sale, bottle drive, raffle tickets and a work auction.
“We go into groups and for the Christie-Brown games, each group will go on stage and people will make a donation and put you to work,” she said. “My group did some weeding of someone’s gardening and carrying rocks up from the beach.”
This was the 53rd for the group that usually has more than 100 children of cottagers from across the Maritimes and Ontario. The children’s parents all have cottages in the Amherst Shore area.
Pettit’s wife Nancy said they’ve had a cottage at Amherst Shore for 50 years.
“It’s our favourite place in the world. We’ve around quite a bit because he was with the RCMP, but the cottage at the shore was like the roots for the children and ourselves,” she said. “We were very much at home there.”
Nancy said the library seemed like a good place to support because of its free children’s programming.
“They’re open to everybody, but I had heard that there were some funding problems and some of those program might have to go,” she said. “I know Ted would want these programs to continue.”
Granddaughter Sidney Pettit was a Kool Aid Kid until she was 16 and she’s thrilled to see the program recognize her grandfather.
“It’s nice to be able to do something in my grandfather’s memory,” said Sidney, who lives in Windsor, Ont. “I was doing the things they’re doing now, like the bottle drive.”
Ted Pettit was stationed in Amherst for several years and his widow lives in Bridgetown. Pettit passed away on Jan. 14. He served in the RCMP for 34 years and was mayor of Bridgetown from 1994 to 2000.
He was a dedicated cottager in Amherst Shore and member of the Koffee Klub for 30 years, including writing a history of the club that captured memories he and others shared at the shore.
Assistant chief librarian Chantelle Taylor welcomes the support.
“We always strive to offer our programs to as many children as possible and we like to keep them free whenever possible,” Taylor said. “We are always open to receiving donations such as this.”
Taylor said the money will be put to good use through the youth services program.
Kool Aid Kids leader Lesley Brown said it’s amazing to see a new generation continue to do the work of previous Kool Aid Kids.
“My brother, who lives in Calgary, when he comes with his kids they get involved, even if it’s just for two weeks. They become Kool Aid Kids,” Brown said. “Everyone helps. When I started it was just one event, but it has evolved.”
Brown remembers going to each cottage fundraising – something that really took her out of her comfort zone.
“You talk to people you don’t normally talk to,” she said.
