By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – There was no disputing that Cornwall takes care of its own at a spaghetti supper fundraiser for 37-year-old Mike Scott and his family Sunday night.
Over 325 community members rallied at the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch #297) for a hot meal and silent auction to support Scott and his wife Tia in the aftermath of his medical crisis.
On January 18, the father of two collapsed in his home following a “puzzling” heart attack and was rushed to the ICU at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Nine days later, Scott awoke from a medically induced coma. (Read our previous coverage here).
Event organizers told Seaway News that $8,305 was raised to help cover the cost of any health-related expenses.
“It’s really overwhelming to see how compassionate everybody is towards Mike and his family right now,” said co-organizer Amy Alguire.
“I was speaking with them last night, and his wife said when this all started Mike couldn’t understand why everyone was being so nice and going out of their way. But it’s because Mike’s a nice guy, and his girls and Tia are active in the community, and everybody’s just pulling together for them.”
Scott, a custodian at Central Public School in Cornwall, has been placed on a heart transplant waiting list.
Scott’s parents, Harvey and Diane, were awestruck as they watched the lineup for salad, spaghetti, and dessert continue to grow rather than thin out after two straight hours.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Diane. “We can’t describe how wonderful the people in Cornwall are.”
Harvey added: “It gives us a push to keep going, and hope knowing that there are so many people out there that care.”
He described Mike as a fighter, and that health-wise he’s going strong despite having a hard day on Sunday.
“He gets tired easily, but you know what…he’s at home with Tia,” said Diane.
The Scott connection runs deep in the Cornwall area.
Alguire used to work with Tia – when she found out what happened, she started collecting small e-mail money transfers to help.
Then, event co-organizer Angèle Thompson started crowd-funding for the cause. So far she has raised over $2,500. Thompson has been friends with the Scotts since the 90s. Find out more about her efforts by clicking here.
Andrée Naud organized the dinner aspect of the fundraiser. She also worked with Tia. Naud noted that every business and individual she asked to help support the event offered a resounding ‘yes,’ especially Baxtrom’s YIG.
After only living in Cornwall for four years, Naud said: “I chose the right community I guess.”
Zumba instructors Jasmine Delage and Adele Wilson, who were also in attendance, are hosting a fitness fundraiser with Big J’s DJ Service for the Scotts at the Central Public School gym on Tuesday, Mar. 3 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is a minimum donation of $10.
To show your support and get updates on fundraisers, join the Hugs for Mike & Tia Scott Facebook page.
