Paterson family continues to give back in memory of Natasha

September 9, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Michelle Janzen

Each year, local retailer Home Hardware holds two huge long weekend sales events.

One in the spring and one in the fall. At these sales, local charities and not-for-profit organizations are given the opportunity to run the BBQ, with Bill Gillam, owner of Home Hardware, donating all of the supplies needed with all profits from sales going directly to that charity or not for profit organization; a way which Gillam says “is a great way for me to give back to the community.”

This past weekend, Duncan and Teresa Paterson could be seen at Shelburne Home Hardware flipping hotdogs for a good cause, with the cost of a hot dog and drink being a donation of any amount for Natasha’s charities.

With the tragic loss of their only child prior to the 2015 Fiddleville Parade, the Patersons are determined to assist local charities, and are doing so through the charity they created in honor of their daughter Natasha.

“Grief is a journey; it never ends, it just evolves,” says Duncan.

According to Mr. Paterson, by creating this charity and holding fundraisers to raise money for local organizations, the Patersons are dealing with their grief and keeping Natasha’s memory alive.

With close to $1,000 raised from the BBQ just on Saturday and Sunday, they are still waiting on numbers from Monday’s barbecue for the final total.

The Patersons plan on splitting up the donations raised between Hope for Wildlife and the local Feral Cat Rescue.

“We would like to thank Bill and Carole Gillam along with the staff at Home Hardware for allowing us to be a part of the sale and for helping us raise money to support charities in Natasha’s honour,” Duncan tells the Free Press. “Bill was more than generous by suppling the food, drinks, condiments, BBQ, propane and tent. Without him it wouldn’t have been possible. Bill even ran the BBQ Monday. He really is an amazing person with a kind heart, someone Teresa and I would be honoured to call a friend.”

Those wishing to still donate to Natasha’s charities can do so by contacting Duncan Paterson at 89 Auto Sales located on Hwy 10 at 416-898-2163 or by emailing him at duncan@89autosales.com.