Wildfire cancelled an annual fire department fundraiser, so a St. John's circus owner stepped up

An arts blank in St. John's is hosting a fundraiser for people who've missed everything in the Conception quest magnetic north wildfire.

On sabbatum night, The Space will help bring in donations for the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund.

The fund, stewarded by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, began as a way to raise money for the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department.

This year though, the fire cancelled their annual fundraiser, so they've pivoted to collecting money for people who lost their homes in the fires, and need help rebuilding. According to the fund's website, the money will help rebuild primary residences lost to the fire.

Lisa Porter, who usually organizes the event at the Ochre House Retreat, encouraged community members on Facebook to still gather with friends — wherever they are — to raise money.

That post inspired Wonderbolt Productions founder Beni Malone to open up his event space called The Space for a fundraiser. 

The situation is personal to him, as he owns a cabin in Perry's Cove — one of the areas under evacuation order due to the wildfire. So, he didn't want to wait to do something.

He said the event will have a bar, food, music and an opportunity for people from the North Shore to speak about their experiences.

Malone says the fire has been absolutely devastating to the community. 

"[To] see all our people's houses and the destruction it's been unbelievable," he said. "[It's] also inspiring to see how the firefighters and the community rallied together."

Malone's cabin was on the perimeter of the fire, but he says firefighters saved the house.

"The amount of effort and urgent dedication they put into that is amazing and awe inspiring," he said.

Porter said she has been holding the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser since 2009. This year would've been the 16th event, with two being cancelled due to the pandemic.

"It was an opportunity for people to get together ... And have a big party and we would just raise some money for the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department," she said. 

Porter owns some properties in the area, and says one of her cottages in Ochre Pit Cove was destroyed.

"We're all in shock. It's hard to talk about feelings because it's such a roller coaster of of hope and fear and unknown," she said. 

She doesn't have the words to fully express her gratitude for the work of the volunteer fire fighters. 

"It's tireless work, it's exhausting, it's dangerous. I cannot believe what they have been through," she said. "We're all realizing just how much they have sacrificed and given."

And she says it's important the volunteer fire fighters are compensated. 

"They need to be thanked and reimbursed, in a concrete financial way," she said.

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