Community comes out to support fire victims

Details

Published on Thursday, March 26, 2015

Photo property of Alan Gillies, GEM Media

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

On March 25, the four families who lived above the Neepawa Home Hardware store lost everything when the building was destroyed by a fire.  In the weeks following the disaster, the community stepped up to help those displaced and on March 21, two fundraising socials were held. 

The first social was held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and was an old time dance. The second social, which started at 9 p.m., featured a variety of local entertainment, including singers and dancers. The entertainers for both events donated their time and talents.

Numerous businesses and individuals donated to the event and silent auctions and organizer Valerie Wilson said that the social raised $12,728.18. The money was donated to the Neepawa Salvation Army’s Fire Fund. Additional money was donated directly to the Salvation Army and Amanda Naughton-Gale, community services representative at Neepawa Salvation Army said that she is still waiting for an update from head office regarding the value of those donations. 

Wilson estimates that about 500 people attended, with many more buying tickets in support.

Wilson and Naughton-Gale explained that the money will be used to help those displaced get back on their feet and replace some of their lost items. Donations are still being accepted at the Neepawa Salvation Army store.