Local community comes together to raise $9,700 for family of Reese Meyer

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Through January Caledon residents bid on a number of different prizes in a fundraising auction put together by local resident Mira Dimovski Budd, in support of the Meyer family. 

Dimovski Budd organized this silent auction to support the family of 13-year-old Reese Meyer who is battling brain cancer. 

The original goal was to raise a total of $5,000 to donate the Meyer family to show that the entire Caledon community is with them during their difficult time. 

But, the community support skyrocketed hitting a whopping $9,700 raised for the family, minus small payments towards the auction website. 

The community's response to the auction, both in terms of donating prizes and bidding, was extraordinary, said Dimovski budd. The auction held 21 items for bid. In total, 64 items were donated by local businesses all around Caledon.

The participation from the community was immense with 225 residents participating, with a total of 725 bids registered.

“The feedback from everyone was amazing,” exclaimed Dimovski Budd. “People loved the idea of the online auction and that they had the chance to participate.”

She added, “The item donation was just amazing and I knew right from the beginning that there would be a large number of business and community members that would like to donate as everyone wants to do something to help.”

Since Reese Meyers was diagnosed in November, he has endured five surgeries and is staying strong, like the true Hawk that he is. A number of fundraisers have taken place to support the family and to encourage Reese to keep fighting.

On Jan 26, a fundraiser hockey game of the Mississauga Steelheads versus the Kitchener Rangers was held in honour of the Meyer family, where Reese walked onto the ice to drop the puck with his parents and sister by his side while the crowd all stood and cheered him on. He spoke with strength, and courage and promised to continue fighting. 

The community support has been incredible and just shows how strong one can be with so many behind them. 

The Meyer family is grateful and so thankful for the generous donations and the community support.

“The Meyer family was aware of the auction right from the beginning and they have always been grateful and thankful for everything the community has done in rallying behind Reese and family,” explained Dimovski Budd. 

Dimovski Budd's support doesn't stop there. At the end of February, she will be hosting yet again another silent auction in support of her friend and Caledon resident, Fiona Ross who is battling Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE) stage four Sarcoma cancer. 

The auction will begin on Feb 18 and conclude on Feb 25. The Sarcoma Cancer Foundation as well as a private patron have offered to match donations up to $50,000.