About
Provincial Constable Andrew J. Potts was a proud member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Andy had served the people of Ontario for seven-and-a-half years, initially serving at the Pickle Lake Detachment in 1998. While in Pickle Lake Andy received the Commissioner's Citation for life saving. Andy returned home to Muskoka in 1998.
On 20 July, 2005 Constable Potts and his partner Constable Matt Hanes responded to a call for service while serving the people of Muskoka. While enroute to this call the officers were involved in a motor vehicle collision. Constable Potts did not survive and his partner was seriously injured.
The Andy Potts Memorial Foundation includes two main fundraising events; The Andy Potts Memorial Golf Tournament and Andy's Ride. Family and friends have created these events to celebrate Andy's life and give back to the community that he loved and served.
The Andy Potts Memorial Foundation raised over $300,000 between 2006 and 2012. These funds have been dispersed in memory of Andy to many local organizations. The charities have included South Muskoka Memorial Hospital ($35,000), 911 Ride ($37,500), O.P.P.A Injured Officers Fund ($32,500), SMMH Women’s Auxiliary ($21,000), O.P.P. Youth Foundation ($5,000),Township Muskoka Lakes Fire Department ($19,000), YWCA ($5,000), Glen Orchard Public School, Gravenhurst High School, Port Carling Figure Skating Club, The Ontario Police Memorial Foundation, Share The Road Riding Coalition, Annie Williams Park and Muskoka Victim Services ($8,000).
In 2012 the Andy Potts Memorial Foundation came up with the idea of “Andy’s House”, a palliative care Hospice as a legacy to Andy. The foundation partnered with Hospice Muskoka and a Memorandum of Understanding was created to raise 2.5 million dollars to build Andy’s House.
In the end over 3.5 million dollars was raised and the 9000 square foot facility was completed with 10 rooms.
Andy’s House has been open since 1 October 2020 and we couldn’t be happier.
Matt Hanes
On behalf of the Foundation Committee