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Elijah Hennessey fundraiser brings in $30,000

'This child has a chance at a better life because of you,' says Coun. Sandy Finamore
2018-03-21 Elijah Hennessey
Elijah Hennessey. Photo provided

A weekend community fundraiser to help pay for costs associated with ongoing medical treatment for four-month-old Elijah Hennessey and his parents Jessie and his father Tom Wallace of Elliot Lake raised $30,000.

The figure was announced at council Monday evening by newly-appointed councillor Sandy Finamore who helped organize the event held at the Collins Hall on Saturday. 

“This community came together to support the family and a little boy this Saturday and I can’t tell you the feeling that we as the organizers had not only to see the amount of money raised but the people that came together with their sleeves rolled up wanting to help, the people who came to say they’ve been praying for this little fella, the people that came just to say hello and the people who came just to say thank you,” Coun. Finamore said. “On that day the community came together and raised $30,000 for Elijah and his family. I never dreamed that it would be that successful but I’m not surprised it would be that successful. There was nobody who said no when we called.”

Finamore said the fundraiser shows that residents are more than willing to “come together to support members of their community.” 

“There was people who just moved to the community who came in wanting to help,” she added. “We have a wonderful community here.”

“As Elijah moves forward with his journey he will know and feel and so will his family…his mother is the strongest person I have ever met in my life because she comes from good people,” the councillor said, referring to his grandparents Darla and Howie Hennessey who are well known volunteers at events in the community. Darla Hennessey is well known as the city’s event coordinator and museum curator. In the coordinator’s capacity she takes care of organizing city-based events like the annual fishing derby.

Saturday’s event attracted hundreds of people who purchased a wide array of donated goods. There was also a silent and live auction of products donated by local businesses.

“I met with her today and she is just speechless and over the moon grateful,” the councillor said of a conversation she had with Darla Hennessey.

“I thank every business, every person that came through that door (at the fundraiser),” Coun. Finamore added. “This child has a chance at a better life because of you.” 



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About the Author: Kris Svela

Kris Svela has worked in community newspapers for the past 36 years covering politics, human interest, courts, municipal councils, and the wide range of other topics of community interest
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