“This community is fantastic,” said Bill Britton, as he greeted people at the fundraiser held for his family on Saturday, March 7, at the Morrisburg Legion. “All these people have come out to show that they care, and it’s just overwhelming. Many of these are people Ethel and I don’t even know, but they have called us and mailed notes and donations to us. Thank you is just not enough for this kindness. We are very thrilled.”
Bill and Ethel Britton lost their barn in a fire on January 27, an accidental blaze which also claimed the lives of a lama and several breeding angora goats. A horse, other goats, pot-bellied pigs and lamas were rescued at the time. There was no insurance to cover the loss of the live-stock and the structure.
At this point, Kim Lalonde and Lindsay Wells, co-workers of Ethel’s at the Woodland Villa, stepped up to organize a fundraiser called Help the Brittons, which took place at the Morrisburg Legion all day Saturday, March 7. With the help of many other co-workers and volunteers, the event was five weeks in the planning and featured live entertainment, a silent auction, a yard sale, baked goods, a home-made chili dinner, raffle tickets and a table for donations. Saturday’s event raised $12,229.30 towards the cost of a new barn on the Britton property. However, funds are still coming in, and donations can still be made at gofundme.com/10yk64.
“Ethel and Bill are really kind-hearted people who have always given to others,” said Kim Lalonde. “We felt that it was their time to receive.”
The organizers were also overwhelmed by the response to their fundraiser. “It’s been an unbelievable turn-out. And the support from the community was just amazing. We had 140 auction items given to us by businesses and individuals, and there were all kinds of things at the yard sale. The generosity of the community just blew me away. We are thrilled with the support shown to this fundraiser. Everything we raised will go to the barn building fund.”
There were several entertainers on hand throughout the day. Marc Rivette did an Elvis tribute, John Mondoux provided karaoke, Graham Jacques and The Sons of Gord entertained with songs live on stage. “The entertainment was terrific,” Lalonde said.
Ethel Britton found it hard not to have tears in her eyes as she talked about the fundraiser. “The organizers of this event are angels,” she said. “Small towns are just great places to be. What a wonderful community.” She hopes that the foundations of the old barn are still good, but the burned remains on the site will have to be buried. “We are really hoping for a spring start to re-building,” she said. “Actually, everyone we’ve talked to wished that the community could turn out for an old-fashioned barn raising.”
The rescued animals are all doing fine, the Brittons said. They are currently keeping six bottle baby angora goats in their home. Friends and neighbours took in the Britton animals following the fire.
“The pigs went to Kemptville, the horse and sheep to Toy Storage. The male goats are at the Tuxedo Llama Ranch, the females at Greg DeJong’s. Some of our animals were taken in by the Vanderland Petting Zoo,” explained Bill Britton.
The fundraiser brings the hope of a new start in the spring for the Britton family.
“I’m still overwhelmed,” Ethel said, tearfully. “There has been such kindness and love shown to us, with people constantly saying, what can we do for you. We’re going to have a lot of ‘paying it forward’ to do in the future.”
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