Touch a Truck raises over $10,000

Fundraiser hosted by Paris Firefighters Club draws close to 500 people in support of local business owner Scott Dammeier

By Casandra Turnbull

There are a lot of aspects of small-town living that are attractive, but nothing is more heart warming than watching a community come together to support one of its own.

You may have noticed a packed house as you drove past the Paris Fire Station last Saturday and that’s because close to 500 people attended the Paris Firefighters Club’s Touch a Truck event in support of local business owner Scott Dammeier.

Scott, the owner of Scott’s Family Restaurant on Scott Ave in Paris, was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer last fall. The cancer has spread and has deteriorated his hip so he’s waiting for a replacement surgery before he can begin chemotherapy to prolong his life. The terminal cancer diagnosis caught Scott, and his wife Kim, by surprise just months after they were starting to rebuild their business following two long years of intermittent closures because of Covid.

The support is a comfort for the Dammeiers as they face a difficult and uncertain path over the next few months. The recognition his story is receiving within the media and the local community has left Scott feeling like a local celebrity and giving him more power to stay strong in the face of adversity. He said he’s determined to fight and win.

“I need to get back to work after surgery and chemo so I can give back to all of you,” said Scott. Kim, who attended Saturday’s event on Scott’s behalf, said she was overwhelmed with the support the moment she walked through the doors of the fire station.

“It’s a feeling I don’t think I’ve ever had before The support, the love, the prayers, all for Scott is something I will never forget,” she said.

“I’m so grateful. And to everyone reaching out to help me with the restaurant… thank-you!”

The success of Saturday’s event is not surprising as this community has a way of coming together to support one another. Matt Amy, a volunteer firefighter at Paris Station 1, said the idea started among the Paris Firefighters Club and District Chief Bruce Barrett got the ball rolling. Within 10 days the fundraiser idea spread like wild fire! Over $10,000 was raised in three hours last Saturday morning

Continued on page 6

“Every day someone new was asking to join,” said Amy “It started out as an open house and opening a couple fire trucks up, then Tigercat got involved, and once we put that out more and more businesses responded ”

Attendees had the chance to bid on auction items donated by Tiger Cat, climb inside a fire truck as well as many other larger than life trucks on display outside in the parking lot, and visit with local firefighters.

Amy wanted to send a big thank-you to everyone that got involved, donated, spread the word online, and came out to support the cause.

“Paris is changing but the small-town feel, and the willingness to help your neighbour, is still very much alive.”

Jamie Young, a patrol supervisor with The Miller Group, said he saw the event advertised on Facebook and knew he had to get involved The life-long Paris resident was one of many businesses who attended.

“I figured I would bring a crash truck as most people aren’t familiar with what the trucks look like and do,” said Young. Crash trucks are designed to reduce the risk of injury and protect the lives of construction workers and motorists.

“Miller as a company is big on supporting community events like this. This event was very well organized by our fire department,” said Young, who admitted the cause was close to his heart. He and his wife often enjoy a breakfast a Scott’s Family Restaurant so they were very interested in doing what they could to support the Dammeiers.

Tina Graziano, a close friend of Scott & Kim and the organizer of the Go Fund Me Campaign, said she was blown away by Saturday’s event.

“It surpassed all my expectations. It was such a great event for the community and much needed They raised so much for Scott and Kim, and they are both overwhelmed with gratitude. Being there and seeing the turn out makes me so hometown proud,” said Graziano. The success of last weekend’s fundraiser doesn’t sit squarely on the shoulders of the Paris Firefighter’s Club They also had the support of Fire administration and the other Brant County Firefighters Associations. And of course, wouldn’t have been possible with the sponsorship of the following businesses: Tigercat, D L Rosebrugh, Mathaven Const, Cornell Construction, Metro Truck, Miller Group, Kings Wood Products, Frito-Lays, Ontario Provincial Police, CP Rail Police, Zitia Group, Cainsville Firefighters Association , Onondaga Firefighters Association, Paris Veterinary Clinic and the Longhorn Group.

We asked you to show your support for Scott & Kim, here are your photos!

Submitted by Ravjot Noormohamed