"Killarney - you could see it as a small town or a big family. I prefer to see it as a big family because that's certainly what it is."
Those words from Cindy Babiuk, wife of the late Al Babiuk, at recent gathering to present the proceeds of last month's Al Babiuk Memorial Fundraising Event & Open House.
Originally organized by Al, the Killarney Fire Department quickly took the reins and renamed the event in his honour after he suddenly passed away shortly before it was to take place.
"There are no words, really, for me to say thank you to all of these people who have donated their time, the STARS committee and all the people who donated from Canada and the U.S. I thank you on behalf of myself and Al. We would have been over-the-moon excited, and so profoundly. I love you all and thank you." said Cindy.
Initially, Al's goal with the event was to raise $50,000 with the Killarney Foundation agreeing to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000.
However, the community rallied and came out in droves in support of the event, raising just over $136,838, nearly triple Al's goal.
70 per cent of the proceeds have been donated to STARS Air Ambulance.
"The amount of money that was raised is just astronomical," said Tammy Beauregard, STARS Manager of fundraising. "We are just so honoured to have known Al, and the community that he has built around himself has flowed into STARS which will flow back to our next patient in need no matter where they are in Manitoba."
"The community that rallies together is a community that's there for each other," added Beauregard. "And that really is shown here in Killarney and surrounding areas."
The remaining 30 per cent of the money was given to the Killarney Tri-lake Health Centre to purchase a ventilator valued at $40,000.