Barnes Home Hardware has organized a fundraiser for Saturday, May 14 in support of the Brome Lake First Responders. With the help of Richard BBQ Traiteur, Ferme Badger and IGA Knowlton, burgers and pizzas will be served with a voluntary contribution. All funds collected from the BBQ fundraiser will go towards a new emergency vehicle for the first responders.
“I think we felt so grateful for the first responders that we wanted to give back to them,” said Catherine Barnes, who works alongside her parents and owners of Barnes Home Hardware Kevin Barnes and Chantale Lajoie. “I think everybody in the town feel really grateful for them and they want to give back to the first responders.”
Various community members hopped on board to help cater the event.
“Richard Pilon, who is the old owner of Star Café (a restaurant in Knowlton), he will bake the pizza and bring his truck (pizza truck). We are collaborating with Ferme Badger, they will bring the beef, and also the IGA they will bring all of our ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard,” mentioned Barnes.
Lajoie added that the first responders are a big help to the entire community. She said the event will have a family atmosphere.
“It will be very unifying. After everything that we have experienced in the last two years a little gathering will be nice,” she said.
While they don’t have a specific objective in terms of how much money they’re hoping to raise, Lajoie isn’t worried about community support.
“We know that Knowlton is generous,” she said.
Barnes described the first responders as “people of heart” and that they give a lot back to our society, which is what pushed them towards organizing the fundraiser.
“Our goal is really to help the town more, so come in big numbers. It’s voluntary contribution so we will serve burgers and pizza and you give the amount that you want,” explained Barnes.
The BBQ fundraiser will be on Saturday May 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Barnes Home Hardware located at 250 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton.
Listen to the interview below: