The community continues to come together to help the Walker family rebuild after the tragic fire that destroyed their barn on November 15.
It took 30 Clearview firefighters two and a half hours to put out the blaze, which resulted in more than $500,000 in damages. Ten emergency vehicles from five stations battled the flames and prevented them from spreading from the barn to the other buildings nearby.
“We are very grateful,” said Colin Walker of the help his family received in the wake of the fire. “When you have so many losses like we did, you feel helpless.”
The Walker family was in the middle of harvesting their crops when the fire occurred. However, a number of the Walker’s neighbours brought their equipment to the farm, working together to finish the harvest in one afternoon.
Others helped with the cleanup after the fire.
“It’s amazing the amount of help we had,” said Colin. Now the Walker family’s main concern is rebuilding. They have been meeting with builders and hoped to submit blueprints for a new barn to the township this week. The insurance collected from the destroyed barn – which was quite old, with all of its beams being axe-cut – has helped, said Colin, but has by no means compensated entirely for their losses. Time is of the essence and the sooner a new barn is built, the sooner the losses resulting from the fire will stop accumulating.
On Saturday, January 28 from 5 pm until 7 pm, the Stayner Evangelical Missionary Church – of which both Colin and his wife Tanya are members – will be hosting a beef dinner in support of the Walker family. Tickets for this dinner are sold out but organizers are still gratefully accepting donations for the family. For further information about donating call 705-428-3741.
“It’s great that the church could help,” said Colin, “and that they are reaching out to the community. We’ve put so much time in; it’s nice to be getting it back when we need it most.”
Tanya has also long been a member of the Creemore Skating Club. In a show of support, the club is selling tickets and contributing food for the fundraiser.
According to Lynn Gowan, who is with the club, members of the Skating Club and the local Minor Hockey Association were quick to fill the list requesting foods for the fundraiser.
For those who would like to support the Walkers but could not get tickets for the dinner a dance is being planned for Saturday, February 25 at the Stayner Arena, which will raise further funds for the family.
“We are trying to look past this,” said Colin. “The kids have calmed down finally; they are able to sleep through the night now.”