When tragedy strikes, locals come together.
After a fire took a family’s home in Burk’s Falls on New Year’s Eve, members of the community decided to take it upon themselves to help the family get back on their feet.
Lifelong residents of Burk’s Falls, Rhianon Dennis, Saxxon McLeod and Carrie DeFraye are organizing a benefit dance and say 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to the family in need. It was reported that the fire not only took their home, but they also lost family pets, precious heirlooms, and children’s toys.
Dennis says the owner of the home, Shelly Long, was the manager at the Tim Horton’s in Burk’s falls and knew almost everyone that came in. She says that Long was the type of person that would do anything for anybody and would treat her customers like her own children. Dennis continued to say it was a no-brainer to help out a family who went from having everything to nothing in just a few hours.
After word got out, Dennis says she was thrilled when local businesses started to reach out donating over $2000 worth of giveaways for the dance benefit. She says businesses from Huntsville, Dwight and Burk’s Falls have donated prizes to help raise money for the family.
When asked why she felt it was important to help the family in need, Dennis says it’s just what they do in small towns.
The benefit dance is set for Saturday, March 24th at the Royal Canadian Legion, 2 Mary Street in Burk’s Falls.
To read more about the event, or to donate, click here.