Killarney Guide

Over $250,000 collected so far, and donations keep coming

BY KIM LANGEN

A ton of feed pellets (delivered), a luxury vacation package in Mexico, 320 acres of aerial spraying – there was truly something for everyone at last Sunday’s benefit social at the Shamrock Centre.

 The  massive  fund-raiser was arranged by Matt and Kaitlyn Nichol, friends who wanted to help local plumber Allan Mitchell and his family pay down some huge and unexpected medical costs, incurred during a recent sudden emergency event in South Dakota.

And it was such an unexpected hit that they are reeling with the generous results.

“The Mitchell Family Benefit Social went very well, and was a huge success,” said Kaitlyn Nichol. “There were around 600-plus people in attendance, and we had over 150 items for auction donated from the community, and surrounding community members and businesses. 

“People were able to participate in a raffle draw, silent auction and live auction. We had 35 items on our live auction catalogue, and they all went very well,” she said. “The live auction brought in $97,000 alone, with the help of two great local auctioneers, Allan Munroe and Kyle Howarth. This event raised just over $250,000, and the donations are still coming in. It is so wonderful to see a community and surrounding communities, come together to help a local family when they need it most. Makes you feel very thankful to live in a small community like this one.”

Matt Nichol was with his friend Allan Mitchell when the medical emergency first occurred last month. 

They were down in South Dakota on September 17, on a fun quad trip, when Mitchell suffered a sudden onset brain bleed. He was hospitalized in Rapid City, where he underwent emergency neurosurgery. A stroke was later identified as well.

Mitchell had purchased medical insurance for the trip, said the Nichols, but the insurance company has denied the claim, leaving the family with a huge bill, including the cost of relocating Allan Mitchell to Canada by airlift after two weeks in the South Dakota hospital. 

“Allan is in Brandon hospital now, and he is making small progress every day,” said Kaitlyn Nichol. “He is still waiting for a neurosurgery rehabilitation referral in Winnipeg.” 

Matt Nichol said that Mitchell is now able to feed himself, and sit on the side of his hospital bed, which is great news.

“He’s actually progressing quicker than they thought,” he said. “He’s a tough cookie, and we’re not surprised he’s coming along so well.”

The auction event included what looked like hundreds of items, from halves of beef and frozen chickens, to decorated pumpkins and Jets tickets. Lawn care packages, an air fryer, a knitted
Afghan, a coffee maker, chainsaws, yards of gravel, bar fridges, golf memberships… the list was simply incredible.

“Our top three selling items for the live auction included 1.28-ton of feed pellets, delivered within 100 km. of Killarney (donated by: Grain Millers, FeedMax, Truck Freight International). This sold for $6,700.” said Kaitlyn Nichol. “Second was the vacation package, a two-week condo rental in Puerto Adventuras, Mexico, (donated by: David and Debbie Jones), paired with a $500 West Jet voucher (donated by Hailey & Cale Jefferies). This package went for $6,400. And third was the buyer’s choice of 320 acres of aerial spraying, ground spraying, fertilizer floater (donated by: J.B. Agro – Jamie Dousselaere & Bob Wiebe). This sold for $5,500.”

Financial donations are still encouraged, as the family faces a long road of recovery, and bills will continue to accrue, said Nichol. 

“We still have the donation sites open, and they will remain open for the next few weeks,” she said. “If you are wishing to donate to the Mitchell family, to aid with outstanding medical expenses from the USA, you can do so via e-transfer or credit card. The e-transfer email for the family is: mitchellfamilybenefit@gmail.com. This is registered for auto-deposit, so no password is required. If you are wishing to use a credit card to donate, you can via the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-allan-mitchell-family-benefit.

Thanks to a great community

‘We would like to thank everyone involved in making this event happen. Thank you to those who provided donations, whether it was auction items or a monetary donation – the support was overwhelming. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who came forward and helped us prepare, and also to those who worked at the event. 

Thank you to Allan and Tammy Munroe and Kyle Howarth for auctioning during the event, the Killarney Fire Department and Killarney Curling Club for working both of the bars, the Baptist Church Folk and Friends who worked security, and helped during the silent auction and taking payments from the auction. 

Thanks to Rolling Pin Bakery for the donation of hot dog and hamburger buns. Thank you to Killarney Meats for the donation of hot dogs and hamburgers. Thanks to Willow Creek Colony for the donation of pies, and Lori Cuvelier for her donation of carrot cakes. Thanks to John Bellew for allowing us to use your grills. 

We hope we are not forgetting to thank anyone, but again, thank you to those that supported the evening in any way. It was a great evening for a very good cause.’

-Kaitlyn Nichol

CHEERS TO ALLAN – Around 600 folks grouped together for a photo on Sunday night at the Shamrock Centre during the Mitchell Family Benefit Social. The group picture was to show Allan Mitchell the amount of support he has as he continues to recover in hospital.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS – Cody MacAulay says a few words about his father-in-law, Allan Mitchell, while (from left) Allan’s daughter, Shaylene MacAulay, and friends, Kaitlyn and Matt Nichol, enjoy the humorous speech.

RED HOT HAMMER – Bids were flying fast and hard during the lively Mitchell Family Benefit Social held last Sunday. Auctioneer Allan Munroe was banging fast on the gavel (above) to run the auction element of the fundraiser, along with auctioneer Kyle Howarth (below). Over $250,000 was raised to help with Allan Mitchell’s emergency medical bills, after he suffered a brain bleed and stroke in South Dakota.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS