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Haying in the 30’s Fundraiser for Cancer Patients Raises more than $34,000
Haying in the 30’s Fundraiser for Cancer Patients Raises more than $34,000
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
March 16 marked the 17th annual Haying in the ‘30’s fundraiser in St. Michael. The community hall was packed with more than 350 people who came to raise funds for the charitable organization that provides financial support to people undergoing cancer treatments.
Haying in the ‘30’s was founded by Mallaig area farmer Edgar Corbiere. In 1987, when his son Real was dealing with cancer, he received help from the community. It sparked a vision in Edgar who approached wagoneers about having a fun weekend, making hay like in the 30’s. That idea began in 1999 and continues today with a special event during the Aug. 1 long weekend near Mallaig.
Edgar’s son Real regularly attends the Haying in the ‘30’s fundraiser in St. Michael, and this year his sisters Fern Jean and Lori Anne St. Arnault were in attendance. Corbiere thanked the St. Michael Community & District Ag Society for hosting the event. “You have done a great job helping a lot of people who are undergoing cancer treatment. We just facilitate the process, it’s not Haying in the ‘30’s, it’s you guys. Give yourselves a big hand for the work that you do.”
Haying in the ‘30’s volunteer Albert Bortynac told the crowd that in 2023, the event near Mallaig raised $351,000. “Thanks to people who come there and support that. Today, we have helped over 7,400 people, over 7,000 in Alberta. The total paid out as of Dec. 31, 2023, is $6,347,179. Thanks to people like you. We thank you for helping us help people who are undergoing cancer treatment.
Edgar Corbiere’s daughter Fern Jean addressed the crowd. “I’d just like to say thank you to Haying in the ‘30’s. It’s very gratifying to see this amount of support...Communities support each other. We don’t heal by ourselves. We heal with our friends, our family, our neighbours and our communities. So, thank you very much.”
MC Mae Adamyk stated that, “Over years Bernie (Florkow) has worked with CFCW and it has been our sponsor. Stella (Stevens) couldn’t make it today, but we want to thank them for years of support.”
Adamyk said the community support for the event and generosity is beyond words. Additionally, “We are blessed to live in a community with a great volunteer base.” Whether it was making perogies for the supper or making bread, setting up the hall, helping in the kitchen or serving the meal, collecting donations, assisting with the live and silent auction, raffle tickets, 50/50 draw and everything else, Adamyk had nothing but praise for the volunteers.
She also thanked the businesses and organizations that provided monetary donations that varied between $200 and $2,000. Two tables were auctioned off before supper, which netted $2,250. “Our silent auction had over 150 donations from crafts to housewares. Several chiffon poppy seed cakes were a hot commodity, one brought in $100.” Proceeds from the silent auction totaled $3,000.
Welded cattle gates and feeders to hand crafted quilts, battery operated tractors for children, tools, pictures, signs and plenty more was sold during the live auction which raised $21,440. Donations continue to trickle in with the grand total climbing well past $34,500 as of March 18.
