It was a combination of the desire to help out individuals in their community and to spearhead a signature event in Long Sault that prompted a group of friends to band together and take action.
Calling themselves the Sault Crew, now 13 members strong, it all began with wanting to help out one community brother, who had lost the use of his legs in a car accident and needed assistance, explained Dave Smith, Sault Crew member.
From there, plans to organize a fundraising event took the shape of their first event, a “Fall Ball” which was held at the South Stormont Township Hall on Saturday night.
Mayor Bryan McGillis was on hand to introduce the group and to welcome them as the newest service club in the community.
“All thirteen members are overjoyed with the response we got from our community,” said Smith, who was overwhelmed by the number of people who showed their support and appreciation. Many thanks for the donations of fabulous prizes for the auctions and raffles, and Ewen Macintosh and Friends for providing the evening’s entertainment, he added.
As the groups 1st official order of business, a $1000 donation was made to Cornwall Hospice. Smith says that they want to be able to continue giving back where they can, with their main focus being to serve the personal needs of individuals in the community.
The Crew has other plans in the works, including a hockey tournament and an even larger event, possibly next fall.
“We don’t have a big event in Long Sault,” said Smith, who along with his club members is looking to the park in the village as a possible home for an annual festival that might compare to the other county fairs.
Still in the very early stages of planning, the group has envisioned a volley ball tournament, a grandstand with entertainment, an old car show and dealers new models, sky diving club and seasonal vendors, among other ideas still being discussed.
There is nothing official yet, says Smith, but details will be made public when they become available.
