Neighbours come out in droves to support village

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY — Over 600 people showed up to support the village of Wheatley on Sunday, September 12 as the community fish fry fundraiser raised about $23,127.

The event at Two Creeks Conservation Area ran from 4 pm to 6 pm and volunteers didn’t take a break until everyone was fed.

For a donation (minimum $20), patrons got a pickerel dinner complete with onion rings, fries and salad.

By 4:15 pm, the parking lots had overflowed onto Kent Rd. 1 as hundreds lined up for their fish dinner.

Volunteers prepare the takeout containers for the fish fry.

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“The turnout was absolutely amazing,” said Mike Renwick, one of the organizers.

The Car Barn’s Catering trailer and Faubert’s Catering trailer were both kept busy through the afternoon, preparing the food, while dozens of volunteers helped with serving, packaging and getting hungry patrons fed.

The Wheatley Band Together musical group played tunes on the Two Creeks stage and attracted a large crowd who brought lawn chairs to enjoy the music while dining on some Lake Erie pickerel.

Local businesses supplied everything — from food, to utensils to manpower — all free of charge, effectively creating a fundraiser with no expenses incurred.

Wheatley Band Together played tunes to entertain the patrons.

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Renwick says they couldn’t have pulled it off without the volunteers, donors and those who came to eat.

“It was way more than we expected,” he said. “The people showed up, the volunteers came together. It’s what we do in Wheatley.”

From the outset, the idea grew rapidly and Renwick credits the local merchants and businesses that made donations.

“Everybody was reaching out, asking what can they do, how can they help,” he said.

Renwick and his wife Erika, joined with Howard Gabert, Barry Broadbent and Duane Faubert to organize the event.

The challenge now will be funnelling that money into the direction it needs to go.

“How can we help the most amount of people? That’s the question,” said Renwick.

Among the businesses contributing to the event were Faubert Catering, Car Barn, Renny’s Smoke House, Lil Hil’s Coffee Shop, Eric from Lucky Wok, Simmons Fishery, Loop Fisheries, Cronheimer and Sons Fishery, Tiessen Fisheries, Rutgers Fisheries, Franklin Fishery, John O Foods, Taylor Fisheries, Gordon Food Service, Morton Food Service, Cavendish Farms, Pure Flavor, Leamington Real Canadian Superstore, Bowman Feeds, Lucier Glove and Safety, H&H Wood Products, Pepsi Co, Coca Cola, Authier Print and Promotional, Wheatley United Church, Wheatley Area Arena, Wheatley Two Creeks Association, Wheatley Fire Department, Wheatley United Church and Southpoint Sun.

Wheatley Band Together consisted of Tim Fischer, Mark Dawson, Terry Lobzun, Whit Thiele and Mike Authier.