Tragedy has a unique way of bringing people together, particularly out here in rural Saskatchewan. When someone falls, it's a safe assumption that friends and neighbors - even complete strangers - won't be far behind to help pick them up and set them down the right path.
That's precisely what happened under the roof of the Outlook Civic Centre on Saturday night, February 11 when a benefit potluck supper and silent auction was held to help out the Martens family, who lost not only their home on the farm northeast of Glenside due to a raging fire that broke out on January 20, but sadly also lost a loving husband and father, Gordon.
Organized by area residents Justine Lustig and Christy Boot, the event was very successful, despite the relatively short window of time between coming up with the idea and the date arriving. A large turnout of approximately 120 people came out in support, filling up the rows of tables and visiting when they weren't looking over the 85-plus items in the silent auction, donated by a long list of local businesses and residents; gift baskets, power tools, artwork, gift certificates, jewelry, a signed Riders jersey of Roger Aldag, an assortment of fresh baked goods, meat and wine products, and much more to bid on.
In attendance for the event was the Martens family; Susan and her daughters Lisa, Nancy, Jane and Sally, and they were joined their own significant others and families. Many people were glad to see them and took a few moments to visit with them, offering kind words and wishing them all the best through a very trying time. For their part, the Martens' were touched to see such an outpouring of public support from people they know, as well as people from the community who simply saw a need and came out to the event.
The potluck supper was bountiful and delicious; pots and roasters full of items such as ham, scalloped potatoes, casseroles, spaghetti, chili, rice, as well as salads, buns and desserts. Leave it to residents of a small town area to be generous not only with their wallets and checkbooks, but their culinary prowess.
As the clock wound down to the bidding process coming to an end, people perused the tables full of auction items and kept an eye on items that they had placed a bid on. The well-natured "competitiveness" of silent auctions only helped to add to the dollar figure that would be benefiting a family going through such turmoil.
In addition to the silent auction proceeds, a free will offering amassed some impressive funds to be handed over to the family. By the time it was all said and done, Lustig told this reporter that a whopping total of $8,823 was raised, with additional envelopes of donations only adding to the massive amount.
On top of the success of the potluck and auction event, an online GoFundMe initiative for the Martens family has raised just under $25,000 to date.
