If you ask Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky, the Port Hope Walk-in Clinic has become a symbol of unwavering determination, and steadfast community support and partnerships.
This was among her key messages as the community and area partners gathered Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the walk-in clinic location at 99 Toronto Rd. for an announcement following a recent 10-day fundraising campaign to support expanding access to care at the clinic.
The end result? More than $189,280 – inclusive of a matching donation from the Port Hope and District Healthcare Foundation – was raised as residents, politicians, firefighters, police, businesses, and more rallied in support of the clinic.
For many like Hankivsky, Wednesday’s announcement was an emotional one – a time to reflect on the significance of community, and what people can do when they come together.
Hankivsky – who was also key in starting up the clinic after the previous long-time Ontario Street clinic shuttered its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic – spearheaded this latest fundraiser in partnership with the foundation. But she wasn’t alone – she had help from another key player in the startup and long-time clinic supporter Coun. Les Andrews, as well as Coun. Adam Pearson, and many more.
“For those who’ve followed the Port Hope Walk-in Clinic – which opened nearly a year ago now – this project, I believe, is a true symbol of unwavering determination, steadfast community support, and successful partnership with the county and Community Health Care Centres of Northumberland,” Hankivsky told the crowd Wednesday, as she also spoke to initial struggles to get the clinic running.
Recognizing a growing number of residents who didn’t have access to a family physician, Hankivsky recalled how the idea of the clinic first hatched in fall 2022. (Currently, a reported 8,000-plus residents continue to not have access to a family doctor, and the Port Hope location is the only walk-in clinic in Northumberland.)
The clinic wouldn’t have opened at all without help from the Rotary Club of Port Hope and the Port Hope and District Healthcare Foundation – these organizations took a chance when so many were saying it wouldn’t be possible to get the clinic off the ground, recalled an emotional Hankivsky.
“Since launching, the clinic has been evaluated by the Centre for Healthy Communities at Loyalist College under the leadership of very competent faculty,” continued Hankivsky. “And the clinic, as we know now, provides timely access to care, fills gaps in access to primary care … (reduces) emergency room visits, and is seen as playing an instrumental, integral role in the local health-care (system).”
“And we also know now that it has saved lives.”
However, after opening, it also soon became clear the clinic would need additional financial support, and so once again, the foundation came through with an offer to match up to $70,000 in donations, and the latest campaign was launched.
Hankivsky said monies raised will help under services and areas not covered by OHIP with the goal of increasing hours and days the clinic is open.
Hankivsky has noted a staff report at the county level is still in the works, and so exactly what this looks like operationally still needs to be ironed out a bit more, but these are the two primary goals.
At the gathering, Hankivsky had a lengthy list of supporters she thanked – volunteers, including among the foundation, donors, municipal staff, summer students, businesses, and more.
Among those who rallied behind the cause with major contributions of $10,000 (or more) each were Trade Tech Industries, Dancing Bee Equipment, Santos Auto Group, Mason Homes, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and partners, Ontario Power Generation, and Enbridge. Meanwhile, others hosted book sales, and put together donation boxes at stores, and police and fire raised $4,000 during a charity car wash in the swelting heat over the weekend.
According to a recent municipal release, a donation from Show and Shine for Spencer Devine is enabling mental health services at the clinic.
“A couple of months ago, when we were discussing this proposal, we wondered whether we would get a response,” noted Matthew Clayton, president of the Port Hope and District Healthcare Foundation, who also spoke to a slowing of donations across the nation the last decade and in particular once the pandemic hit. “What has happened since then has rendered me almost speechless.”
“This is a shining light for our foundation – a community that comes together and watches each other’s back. I am deeply grateful to the mayor, councillors, (and) staff, and to Jemma Racine at the foundation for making this happen,” continued Clayton.
The healthcare foundation will be managing the matched funds to ensure they’re directed to clinic operations, officials stated in a recent release following the announcement.
Scott Cameron, general manager of the Historic Waste Program Management Office in Port Hope, was also in attendance Wednesday, and shared how CNL got involved.
Cameron also went on to vow the team would continue to support the clinic.
Inside the clinic, work is underway to create a donor wall that will recognize those who’ve made donations of $500 or more.
“I stand before you today as a very proud mayor,” said Hankivsky Wednesday, while thanking local donors. “This incredible result reflects the strong spirit of collaboration and care in our community.”
People can learn more about the foundation and access donation information online.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt, with files from Joseph Goden.)