06/24/2026
As a photographer, I am often invited to witness special moments. This week, I had the privilege of photographing something truly extraordinary.
When I arrived at the Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall, the room was already filling with representatives from local organizations. There was a buzz of excitement in the ai re, people chatting, smiling, and celebrating. As I moved through the crowd with my camera, I kept hearing the same name over and over again: Wanda.
Some called her Kirkland Lake's own Erin Brockovich. Others spoke about the countless hours she had dedicated behind the scenes, the sleepless nights, the risks taken, and the unwavering belief that something good could happen for our community. I heard stories of how she and her husband poured their own time, energy, and resources into keeping the bingo hall going through difficult years. I heard gratitude, admiration, and more than a little disbelief that something of this magnitude was happening right here in Kirkland Lake. I heard and felt the respect.
The room was decked out in Betty Gaming's signature black and gold, with a giant cheque proudly displayed at the front. One by one, representatives from 15 local organizations came forward to receive their donations. There were handshakes, hugs, pizza, laughter, and countless smiles. Each recipient shared how the funding would help support their organization—lowering costs for children to participate in programs, purchasing much-needed supplies, supporting essential services, and in some cases, helping keep the doors open.
As the event came to an end and the crowd slowly filtered out, Wanda was still there, I’m sure, the last to leave. I sat down with her and had to ask her how we got here.
Like many organizations, the pandemic brought tremendous challenges to the bingo hall. Wanda shared how she was approached by Betty Gaming and how, at first, it almost seemed too good to be true. But she believed, she persevered, and she worked tirelessly to turn possibility into reality.
Standing there listening to her story, I could still see the shock on her face. But alongside it was pride—pride in what had been accomplished, pride in what this funding will mean for local organizations, and pride in seeing something positive come back to the community she loves. Pride radiating from her family.
Behind every large donation, every celebration, and every smiling photo is usually someone whose hard work goes unseen. This post is for that person.
Thank you, Wanda, for your dedication, determination, and belief in our community. Kirkland Lake is better because of people like you.
Congratulations to all 15 recipient organizations, and thank you to Betty Gaming for helping make this incredible day possible.
❤️ Here are a few of my favourite moments from the event.
