NORTHWEST SASKATCHEWAN — In a heartfelt display of support for the Squair family that recently saw Quin Squair taken off life support following an assault at a residency on the Saulteaux First Nation, Allysa Woodrow has initiated a fundraising campaign aimed at alleviating the financial strain faced by the grieving family as they accompanied Quin during his final days in Saskatoon.
“His mother and I have worked together for just over a year, and we called an emergency meeting … and we (co-workers_ just started trying to brainstorm ideas of how we could help her,” Woodrow said, who works at Prairie Sky Recovery Centre in Leipzig, Saskatchewan, with Quin’s mother, Mellissa.
After being put on life support following the assault that left him with ‘serious injuries,' according to an article written by the Canadian Press, his mother spent every day at the hospital and was unable to come into work. She also has parking and meal fees to pay.
Unable to fund their co-worker’s expenses out of their pockets, Woodrow and her co-workers decided to start a fundraiser.
“...(we want) to raise some funds for her because we’re not sure when she’s going to be able to come back to work,” Woodrow said to the News-Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca, highlighting the family went through a lot not knowing if Quin would come home to them.
Although the fundraiser took a while to gain traction, Woodrow said after articles about the Squair family were released in the media, she’s recently been overwhelmed with the amount of support shown for the fundraiser and the Squairs.
“It was pretty slow at first because, again, everything was up in the air. Nobody really knew what was going on, nobody knew who it was… (now) it's been almost overwhelming, with the amount of support.”
Prizes have been donated from several Saskatchewan-based businesses and organizations, including Prairie Sky Recovery Centre, Wilkie Pharmacy, LLF Creations, Milbankes, Prairie Storm Candle Co, The Smith’s Studios, and donations from several individuals.
There are currently 34 prizes for the fundraising draw, though more will be added as they’re received. New donations for the draw will not be accepted starting May 3, and the draw will likely follow shortly after that. Ticket prices are as follows:
- One ticket costs $5
- Two tickets cost $8
- Three tickets cost $10
Woodrow has asked those purchasing tickets to indicate which prize they would like their ticket to go towards, picking from the 26 prizes currently listed on the Facebook Group ‘Fundraiser for the Squair Family’ they would like their ticket to go towards.
“There have been people in Saskatoon and North Battleford and all surrounding areas that are messaging me constantly, saying 'how can we help,” Woodrow said, adding that she’s had several businesses reach out to donate items to the fundraiser draw.
“People have just been donating money. A lady recently donated 200 dollars … It’s been like a good overwhelming," Woodrow said.
“...(It’s) just to raise as much money as possible for her. I know she still has bills to pay … and with not being able to come to work, it’s definitely going to be a little bit of a hindrance.” Woodrow said.
When asked what the best case scenario would be for the fundraiser, Woodrow said any amount would be helpful.
"Anything that we're able to do for her."
