On June 24, residents of North Perth and any visitors coming through can grab a great lunch for an even better cause.
That day is the annual Cystic Fibrosis BBQ fundraiser at Van Allen Insurance, which they launched 12 years ago. Shane Van Allen says the event started because of a very personal connection to cystic fibrosis.
"We started it back in 2013 when our son, Wade, was diagnosed with CF. Our staff stepped up and came up with this idea and it's taken off. We do it every year, it's an annual event and the community comes out in just huge numbers every year to support us," Van Allen said.
The BBQ starts Tuesday at 11 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. in the Van Allen Insurance parking lot in Listowel. It's $10 for a McIntosh burger or hog dog with chips and a pop if you're ordering take out. Local businesses are encouraged to place group orders by contacting Van Allen Insurance ahead of time.
If you're on site, you can substitute chips for a Dilly bar donated from the local Listowel Dairy Queen for the event. They will also have fresh made Anna Mae’s donuts available at $2 each or $20 for a dozen. There is also a raffle for a 36" Blackstone grill, donated by Ayr Farmers Mutual, and four tickets to a Sarah McLaughlin concert.
Shane says having the support of other local businesses has been a huge help over the years, whether it's donating items for the BBQ or ordering lunches. The event has grown every year, and he says since it started, they've raised almost $50,000. Van Allen says that number is overwhelming.
"When it all started, you get the typical little curb-side BBQ where you raise $500 or $600, and you're overwhelmed with that. It's awesome. That happened for the first couple years, but then the support took off. The numbers went from $1,000 to $2,000, to $5,000 one year and then to $10,000 and even $12,000 the one year. It's incredible," Van Allen said excitedly. "This community just supports their people and so many other businesses help us out, whether donating stuff or buying lunch, they know how important it is to us and it's amazing."
Van Allen notes that there have been many improvements over the last number of years when it comes to cystic fibrosis, and that's because of efforts all over the world to raise funds to help with research. He says he thinks all the improvements over the last number of years, including new experimental drugs, are leading to something bigger.
"Even within the last five years we've seen so much development towards experimental drugs that have become life-changing drugs that have allowed CFers to live almost symptom free, and that makes me believe that we're getting so involved in understanding cystic fibrosis, that we will in fact get to a point where we find a cure," Van Allen shared triumphantly.
