“My angel in my time of need”
Fundraising efforts launched to help young amputee
His smile says it all. Twenty-one-year-old Bruno Lavoie is all smiles these days. Especially since a family friend, Roland Michaud, has been busy over the past few weeks organizing various fundraising efforts to help Lavoie replace his artificial leg with a newer version and raise money towards pursuing his studies in the metal arts field this fall at the Dieppe Community College.
A graduate of the PTA high school in 2007, Lavoie has been working for the past year at the Grand Falls Wal-Mart and trying to put aside some money in order to pay for his studies and not having to go into debt. However, the artificial leg he was fitted with after losing his natural leg to cancer in 2005 needs to be replaced and Lavoie and his family don't have the financial means to purchase a new one.
"When I heard about Bruno's plight, I knew I needed to do something to help him out," stated Michaud, a retired teacher. "When I first read about Bruno in The Victoria Star issue of May 2007, I was touched by his story. Here was a young man, on the verge of graduating and taking on another adventure in his young life when he was diagnosed with cancer and lost his right leg to the disease. He has soldiered on and beaten the odds. However, at this point in his life, he is facing another barrier towards pursuing his dream of working in metal, as his grandfather did. I knew I had to help him out," Michaud said.
As part of his efforts, Michaud has organized a garage sale which will be held May 18-25. Prior to that, starting on May 5, he will be accepting donations from people wishing to help out.
"Anything they want to give towards the garage sale will be welcome and greatly appreciated," stated Michaud, "whether it is clothing, furniture, toys, bicycles, etc. Anything they are no longer using or which is cluttering up their basement or storage area will be accepted."
"Réjean Rioux, owner of GM Rioux & Son Ltd., has generously lent us one of his buildings located at 53 Beaulieu Street to house our garage sale. I can't thank him enough for his assistance," he added.
People can bring their donated items at this location from May 5 to May 15. Hours on weekdays will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend.
"Many people have volunteered their time to help out during the garage sale," Michaud said. "Anyone else wishing to help out are also welcome. They can contact me at 473-1417 for more information."
"Also, during the garage sale, we will be selling squares towards another fundraising idea as well as lottery tickets," he added.
The garage sale itself will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 and 19; from 2 to 6 p.m. on May 20 to 23; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 24 and 25.
Michaud has also organized a sale of bookmarks, sponsored by the area's Credit Unions, to raise more funds.
"In the next few weeks, the bookmarks will be on sale at $2 each at the Credit Unions," Michaud said.
A special account has been opened at the La Vallée Credit Union under "Friends of Bruno Lavoie".
"Money raised from the sale of the bookmarks as well as from the garage sale will be put in this account," Michaud said. "We have two people who are responsible for the account. Money needed to purchase Bruno's new artificial leg as well as paying his medical and transportation costs for healthcare will be provided via this account. Receipts will be needed to account for the money's transfer towards these services," he added. "We'd also like to be able to provide Bruno with a scholarship bursary towards his studies."
Michaud has also written a song dedicated to Lavoie, which he plans on recording in the very near future and selling, with profits going to the same account.
"Anyone wishing to make a straight donation can also do so at any of the Credit Unions located in Grand Falls, Drummond, St. André, St. Leonard and Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes through the ‘Friends of Bruno Lavoie' account," Michaud said.
"Everyone I have talked to about either donating items for the garage sale, or selling bookmarks, etc. have been very pleased to do so. I am very happy with their support," Michaud stated.
"I am very overwhelmed by his efforts," stated Bruno Lavoie, during an interview at his workplace. "I was not sure about going to the Community College this fall due to the fact that the costs of replacing my artificial leg would probably supercede my studies. Hopefully, Mr. Michaud's fundraising activities will help me enough in order to enable me to replace it and allow me to pursue my studies this fall," he added.
"I have been trying to put some money aside but it has been difficult. My parents are also finding it hard to help out financially, so when Mr. Michaud told me what he was planning on doing to help us out, I just couldn't find enough words to thank him. I consider him to be my angel in my time of need."
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