Cole Lake fundraiser for Drew

Sep 18, 2014

Geri Teeter was Drew Cumpson's neighbor for 11 years when he lived on Buck Bay in South Frontenac. She watched him grow up over the years and recalled him as “a wonderful young man who treated people exceptionally well, was always very polite and who just loved young kids.” Drew became a quadriplegic after suffering a body surfing accident while he was volunteering in Peru in 2011, and Teeter felt moved to do something for him. Months ago an Indiegogo campaign was set up to raise $35,000 to help cover the costs associated with a surgery to have Drew fitted with a diaphragmatic pacemaker, which will allow him to breath easier and could eliminate his need for a ventilator.

The campaign officially ended on August 27 after successfully raising $37,638, more than the initial $35,000 goal; however Teeter still felt the need to contribute to what she believes will be the ongoing medical costs for him and his family. With that in mind, Teeter and fellow members of the congregation of Cole Lake Free Methodist Church, Jean Freeman and Cheryl Silver, organized a bake/yard sale fundraiser on September 13. Members of the church and the local community donated all of the goods and a steady stream of visitors attended the event. The three ladies were thrilled with the generosity of the attendees, many of whom made generous extra cash donations to the cause. By the end of the day over $625 was raised. Those who missed the event and who would still like to make a donation can call Cheryl Silver at 613-374-3250.