Bring on the barbecue
From left, volunteers, Sandra Patenaude, Bobbie Barber, Lucie Teals, Debbie Courneyea, Marlo Smith (in front), Rose Stewart and Adrianna Teale helped out at the barbecue fundraiser in front of Winchester Pet Value on June 9. Funds raised went towards the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue.     Sawyer Helmer photo

Debbie Courneyea and Chelsea Boal, Grade 6 Winchester Public student, hold the bake sale poster made by Boal and her friend Kylie Lesage for their cupcake bake sale to help raise funds for the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue. The girls raised $70 after selling the baked goods for $0.50 each. Sawyer Helmer photo

Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
WINCHESTER – On Sat., June 9, Morewood resident Debbie Courneyea, the Winchester Pet Value along with volunteers from Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue (OSCR), hosted a barbecue fundraiser in front of the Pet Value. The fundraiser was in support of the OSCR, and Courneyea said they were able to raise close to $400.

“The barbecue went very well, the volunteers all had a great time and we fed a lot of people,” said Courneyea.

One supporter that stopped by was Winchester Public School Grade 6 student, Chelsea Boal. Boal, along with Russell Public School Grade 5 student and good friend, Kylie Lesage, held a cupcake bake sale the weekend prior to donate funds to the same cause.

Boal and Lesage had done a similar fundraiser a couple years ago to raise money for the Cancer Foundation. This year, when the girls decided they would like to give back once again, Boal’s mom suggested the OSCR.

The girls made chocolate and vanilla chocolate chip cupcakes along with squares and cookies. They sold the baked goods from home over the weekend for $0.50 each. The baking and decorating process took them three days but it all paid off as they raised $70. Boal said she was very interested in helping the cause especially since her family has two cats at home plus a stray that they help out by feeding.

Courneyea said during the barbecue that she was awestruck by the generosity of the girls and was very impressed with their giving spirits. The Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue has been helping Courneyea and other local residents to bring awareness to the community about the many stray cats in North Dundas that they collect, spay or neuter to help keep populations down and find homes for as many as they can.