A major benefit event for a man described as “an all-around good guy” and a “cool-headed gentleman” is being held at the Kamsack Legion Hall on Sunday.
Already residents have become familiarized with the blue wrist bands containing the slogan “Barry’s battle; no one fights alone” being sold in the community to raise funds for Barry Golay who since 2014 has been fighting cancer, and on Sunday at the fourth annual Hint of Garlic Festival and Trade Show at the Legion Hall, a special cookie walk was held to raise funds for Golay.
“Barry has been a very dedicated member of the Legion and currently serves as its service officer,” said Judy Green, a member of the Legion branch and organizer for the benefit at the Legion Hall on Sunday. It will be a ham-and-scalloped-potatoes supper with vegetables, salads and desserts.
The event will include a Chinese auction and committee members are canvassing the community for items for that auction.
“Barry has spent his whole life helping others and his friends want to reciprocate to make things easier for him,” Green said, explaining that his long struggle is exhausting his funds, especially currently as he is looking at different treatments that may not be available in Saskatchewan.
“Barry deserves to have this done for him and people are being very good about it,” Green said, adding that the committee is hoping to serve the meal for at least 300 people.
“We need to try to repay Barry for all the things he’s done for us,” she said, explaining that no matter what function is held in the community, chances are that Golay is involved or is supporting it.
In order to gage how much food to prepare, the organizing committee wants people to purchase tickets to the supper in advance. The advance tickets cost $15 a plate, while tickets at the door will be $20. Children under six years of age will be admitted at no charge, while those aged from six to 12 years will be charged $10.
“We will be offering take-out meals which will be ideal for a harvesting crew, as long as the tickets are purchased in advance,” she said. “We’ve also made a similar offer for residents of Eaglestone Lodge.”
Tickets are available at Buck’s Dollar Store, Pheobe’s Beauty Parlour, Shining Armour Auto and from Legion members.
Those wishing to purchase the bracelets, a project conceived and being conducted by Cheryl Bloudoff and Janet Woodward, can obtain them from the Dollar Store, Shining Armour and from some Legion members.
Other groups have already expressed interest in holding additional fundraisers, such as a dance, Green said. In the meantime, persons wishing to contribute to the cause may do so through a Facebook GoFundMe page or may make a deposit in an account in Golay’s name at Affinity Credit Union.
Golay was named the most recent recipient of the Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s Ring earlier this summer.
