MALLAIG - A steady stream of tractor-drawn wagons delivered visitors from vehicles spread across the massive parking lot and the field overflowing with campers, the audience growing by the minute at the Haying in the 30’s Cancer Support Society site, located near Mallaig.
The society's president Fernande Jean and vice president Lisa Vandenberg took their places on stage, along with master of ceremonies Connor Brown, for the opening ceremonies of the 27th Annual Haying in the 30’s weekend on Aug. 2.
Following the singing of O Canada with a sign language accompaniment, Jean welcomed the crowd “with many familiar faces” and spoke about the event’s beginning, which followed her brother Réal Corbiere’s recovery from cancer many years ago.
The help Edgar and Cecile Corbiere and their family had received during that time “uplifted my parents . . . and in 1999, Dad had a dream of creating an event with the proceeds going to cancer victims undergoing treatment. This is the 27th anniversary of that event . . . which has helped 8,400 people, with $7.3 million paid out. It would not have been possible without your donations.”
Jean introduced fellow executive members Linda Richter and Lillian Theroux and directors Francis Dallaire, Marc Dallaire, Henri Gratton, Yolande Hovelkamp, Darrel Johnson, Barry Kalinski, Yvon Michaud, Dan Osinchuk and Dave Wanchuk, all part of a long lineup in front of the site’s townhall, and thanked them and the organization’s numerous volunteers “for all your amazing efforts. It’s phenomenal.”
Thanks also went to corporate and private sponsors, and to the teamsters “who are an integral part of this, with their enthusiasm for the old ways. Dad would have been so proud.”
Vandenberg took over the microphone to list four long-time supporters of the event who lost their lives over the past year: Ted Etherington of Dewberry, who had previously donated a wagon in memory of his wife Anne; Fae Irvine of Lindbergh, who had helped prepare food at the event for the past 20 years; Kasy Linkevich, who helped out wherever needed; and her brother Réal Corbiere, who had “won his first battle that started in 1986.”
Réal was part of many fundraisers, hauled 4-H animals that had been donated at their show and sale, “and always cooked the liver from them; he was the liver master.”
Following a minute of silence in tribute to the four, she urged everyone to “take time to remember your loved ones who have been lost to cancer. One hundred per cent of the donations made here go to cancer patients.”
Mallaig Baptist Pastor Owen Isaacson wrapped up the opening ceremonies with a prayer, and said the success of this annual charitable event is “a minor miracle.”
An update from organizers after the Aug. 2 and 3 event wrapped up stated that donations had surpassed $325,000 - and there were still more coming in.
About 2,100 people were served supper on Saturday.
In a statement, organizers also offered a "huge thank-you to all the volunteers who make this magic happen year after year. Your heart and hard work are what keep this legacy alive.”
