In true community spirit, hundreds of southern Manitobans gathered Sunday evening for a fall supper in support of Dexter, a seven-year-old Morris resident recently diagnosed with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“This event reminded Morris that we look out for one another in times of need,” said Marielle Dyck, chair of volunteers and chief cook of the event, noting she “worked with many talented ladies” behind the scenes preparing for the evening .
In four short weeks, a core group of friends, neighbours, and community members came together to organize the sold-out event at the Morris Multiplex. The goal was to raise funds to financially support Dexter’s family as they focus on his needs and bi-weekly trips to Winnipeg for the next few years of treatment.
“Our goal was to raise $15,000 for the family and we have surpassed our goal,” said organizer Cheryl Crick. “What an amazing community. Not only corporations helped, we also had individuals and families donating turkeys for the meal.”
The fall supper drew 400 in-person diners, with an additional 125 meals enjoyed through take-out and delivery.
Attendees enjoyed music from the Morris School Gr. 9-12 Jazz Band followed by a lively pie auction. Auctioneer Mayor Scott Crick encouraged bidding wars for “homemade pies made with love and lard.”
Over 30 baked goods were auctioned off to the community, with a locally-made strawberry saskatoon pie bringing in $120 and a Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bomber vanilla cake with oreo buttercream frosting raising $100 for the family.
An additional 50 baked items, including pies, tiramisu, cinnamon buns, and various gluten-free options were bid on via silent auction.
Donations were generous for the 75-package silent auction that ran over three days with businesses as far as Morden, Steinbach, and Winnipeg gifting items and services such a two-hour ice rental at the Morris Curling Club, Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball tickets, pizza for a year, and a toilet with install.
Tickets to the Dec. 3 Jets Cancer Night, including special cancer jersey, was won by Morris Bigway owner Pat Schmitke for $900, and a Blue Bomber’s jersey and game tickets brought in $750 from Mayor Crick.
Friends of Dexter’s family and co-organizers of the pie auction, Kara Marion and Candice Lawrence, were eager to gift their time to the cause.
“So many different people worked together so well,” said Marion. “Help can come from the most unlikely sources. We had a busy evening with everyone giving 100% percent.”
Lawrence added, “Dexter’s family participates in the community without people knowing. Terri has often showed up at my door with a cup of tea, knowing it is hard as a single mom. They’ve been there for me, and now it is their turn.”
Although unable to attend the event, Dexter’s mother Terri Yager and father Jessy Morgan spoke via phone of the relief this fundraiser provides their family.
“[The funds] will help pay for medications, bills, the fact that I’m not working and Jessy is on partial wages right now,” shared Yager. “I can focus on Dexter’s care and my family. We are really blessed to have such a wonderful community behind us. It is fabulous what everyone has done.”
Yager was a bit hesitant about putting down roots in Morris when she first moved here. Now, after being here several years and seeing the outpouring of support the family has received, she says, “I will never leave. The community rallies behind you. The community has thrown themselves at our feet and I want to thank everyone for their support, the planning and cooking, everything that this town has done for us.”
The fundraisers’ success shows how food and an important cause bring people together.
“Morris hasn’t had a fall supper for a while now and it was time. At the same time, the community was able to help a family that needs support,” Dyck said. “The event allowed people to share and care.”
