CORNWALL, Ontario – Local Freemasons came together to help a Cornwall man and his family with their fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The Masons were working this past weekend to install a chairlift at the entrance of the home of Mike Labelle, who suffers from ALS.
The project was done at no cost to the family through donations from Free Masons and from Fence Depot an David Brown Construction.
Steven Davies, the Worshipal Master of the Freemasons Lodge of the Lost Villages said that it was a part of the tradition of the Freemasons to build projects that benefitted those in need.
“We are trying to get back to the Masons of old,” said Davies.
In all, eight to 10 Freemasons helped out with the project.
Davies estimated that in total, the project probably cost around $4,000.
“It is amazing,” said Labelle. “It was totally unexpected and very touching.”
Labelle was diagnosed with ALS on Oct. 31 of 2017.
Labelle, 51, was born and raised in Cornwall and worked as a machinist for 30 years. Labelle’s family hopes to help form a local support group for people suffering from ALS in Cornwall and SD&G.
Labelle said that his disease leaves him sore, in pain, fatigued and depressed, but that he greatly appreciates the support he has received from his family and the community.
For those who would like to support Mike Labelle and his family, consider donating to the family through their GoFundMe page.
