An artistic space in St. John’s organizes a collection of funds for people who have lost everything in the Conception Bay North forest fire.
On Saturday night, space will help bring donations for the North Shore Fire Recovery Fund.
The Fund, administered by the Terranova and Labrador Community Foundation, began as a way of raising money for the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department.
However, this year, the fire canceled its annual fundraising, so they have turned to collect money for people who lost their homes in fires and need help for reconstruction. According to the background website, money will help reconstruct the primary residences lost by the fire.
Lisa Porter, who generally organizes the event at the Retiro OCher House, encouraged community members on Facebook to still meet with friends, wherever they are, to raise money.
That publication inspired the founder of Wonderbolt Productions, Beni Malone, to open his event space called Space for a fundraising.
The situation is personal for him, since he has a cabin in Perry’s Cove, one of the areas under the order of evacuation due to the forest fire. So, I didn’t want to wait to do something.
He said the event will have a bar, food, music and an opportunity for North Shore people to talk about their experiences.
Malone says that the fire has been absolutely devastating for the community.
“[To] See all the houses of our people and the destruction that has been incredible, “he said.[It’s] Also inspiring to see how firefighters and community joined together. “
Malone’s cabin was in the perimeter of the fire, but says that the firefighters saved the house.
“The amount of effort and the urgent dedication in which they were put is surprising and amazing,” he said.
Dedication of volunteer firefighters
Porter said he has been celebrating the collection of funds from the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department since 2009. This year it would have been the 16th event, and two were canceled due to the pandemic.
“It was an opportunity for people to meet … and have a big party and we only raised some money for the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department,” he said.
Porter has some properties in the area and says that one of his cabins in Ocher Pit Cove was destroyed.
“We are all in shock. It is difficult to talk about feelings because it is a roller coaster of hope, fear and unknown,” he said.
She does not have the words to completely express her gratitude for the work of volunteer firefighters.
“It’s a tireless job, it’s exhausting, it’s dangerous. I can’t believe what happened,” he said. “We are all realizing how much they have sacrificed and given.”
And she says it is important that volunteer firefighters are compensated.
“They must be grateful and reimbursed, in a concrete financial way,” he said.
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