Harrow Pie Auction shatters previous record
- $32,210 was raised for the John McGivney Children’s Centre -
by Adam Gault
The 165th annual Harrow Fair kicked off last Thursday evening with the 26th Annual Pie Auction, which resulted in a record-breaking $32,210 being raised for the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC).
Thanks to generous bidders, this year’s Pie Auction shattered last year’s record of $21,895, with all the proceeds going to the longstanding centre to support children and youth with special needs.
A total of 65 pies were auctioned off in the record-setting event. Long-time auctioneer, Jack Morris, who has taken charge off the event since its inception in the early ‘90s, was joined by OPP Constable Sean MacKinnon, who is quickly proving his chops as a guest auctioneer at the venerable event.
This year’s record-breaking success could be attributed to the organizations, businesses, community leaders, and politicians, who all made bids with an exceptional enthusiasm, as was witnessed with the event’s first place submission, a cherry-raspberry pie Marija Korcok baked.
That pie was successfully bid upon by Jeff Sylvester, of James Sylvester Enterprises, who bid a whopping $5,200 for the exceptional pastry.
Following close behind was a third-place blueberry pie baked by Francey Pearman, which Scott Waters of Harrow Home Hardware made a total bid of $2,400 for. The runner-up was a bumbleberry pie prepared by Connie Salter, which went for $3,350 to Lonie Kady of Harrow Hometown Pharmacy.
Funding from the event will continue to support the JMCC, which helps nearly 3000 special needs children a year at its Windsor-based facility, as well as with hands on support at their local schools. Services provided by the JMCC, include personal assessments, supporting treatments, family consultations, educational support, and accessibility to wheelchairs and other mobility devices in support of greater freedom and independence.
More information on the John McGivney Children’s Centre can be found at jmccentre.ca