Finally free
PC Tylor Copeland of the SD&G OPP removed the final pair of cuffs from Winchester Foodland owner Dan Pettigrew at 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 13. The Cuffed Up for a Cause fundraiser brought in $2,500 alone from Pettigrew’s jail time.    Courtesy photo

Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
WINCHESTER – Throughout last week, North Dundas local business owners and local celebrities were arrested by PC Tylor Copeland of the SD&G OPP. Those arrested included Winchester Press Editor Matthew P. Uhrig, Cup of Jo’s co-owner Jo-Ann Martin, Main Street Clothing Company owner Lisa Williams, North Dundas District High School Vice-Principal Mike Deighton and Summers Physiotherapy owner Dave Summers.

The finale of the fundraiser concluded on Sat., Jan. 13, when Winchester Foodland owner Dan Pettigrew was placed in 250 pairs of cuffs and sentenced to his Coca-Cola jail cell until all the cuffs had been removed. Community members could donate $10 to have one pair of cuffs removed and also have their names entered to win prizes from the raffle table. Prizes included two goodie baskets donated by the Crime Stoppers, a $100 gift card from Foodland, a gym membership from Summers Physiotherapy, and a retro clock and mini monster fridge from Coco-Cola.

Pettigrew was cuffed at 9:30 a.m. and despite the weather keeping many people homebound, was finally released from the last pair by 4:30 p.m. His release raised $2,500 for Crime Stoppers Month 2018. “I was very warm and couldn’t move for a long time,” said Pettigrew. “I had a lot of fun and it was a great event.” He was even still able to get a few emails done while waiting out his sentence. Pettigrew said his “amazing staff,” had a lot to do with making the day go off without a hitch.

The 250 plastic cuffs came from a previous fundraiser by long-time Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers supporter Jim Mustard of Mustard’s Variety in Iroquois. Mustard donated the cuffs and the money raised from their sale to the organization as an ode to his 25 years of support.

Copeland said the use of the cuffs for Cuffed Up for a Cause was a good way to shake up the fundraiser and promote the community organization. “I’m elated that people were gracious enough to dig themselves out of the cold and attend the event,” he said. While some of the cuffs were removed by the funds raised from the other arrestees, most of them were removed after crowds of people turned up at the Foodland to donate and participate. “People came out in droves,” said Copeland. “It was really great.”