Local grocery store rallies to help one of their own

Staff members past and present helped run a barbecue outside the store while other fundraisers went on inside.

The owners of the local Sobeys franchise, the staff and the community as a whole haven’t forgotten a key member of the store’s team.

A fundraiser was held last Saturday at Sobeys to raise money for a new prosthetic leg for Bill Blackwell, the grocery store’s produce manager. In addition to donations raised through community donations, suppliers made donations towards the cause with CKRT radio also donating their services.

A barbecue was held outside the store, with a raffle featuring donated items from customers, and a popcorn sale were inside the store.

The event raised approximately $12,000.

Store owners Rick and Krista Truant said they wanted to do something to give back.

Sobeys held a fundraiser last Saturday to help produce manager Bill Blackwell acquire a new prosthetic leg. Blackwell attended and was joined by district operator Chris Boufford, Julie Hope and franchise owners Krista and Rick Truant.

“We’ve had lots of community involvement,” said Krista. 

Krista said they are hoping to cover costs of the prosthetic leg plus any physiotherapy costs Blackwell may incur. He has been away from work since November due to his health issues, which includes the partial leg amputation.

“He’s been with the company for a long time,” she said. “He’s a great employee. He’s very engaged. He’ll do anything for anybody. He’s a hard worker and gets along with everybody. Everyone wanted to rally behind him.”

The Truants reached out to their district operator  Chris Boufford about the fundraiser and he helped get other stores in the region involved.

“It’s turned into a district-wide fundraiser,” said Krista. “It’s something that started out very small. Everyone is so generous.”

“It’s a tragic thing that happened,” added Rick. “We’re just pulling together. Some stores have already donated money.”

Amherstburg is a community that rallies together when people are in need, he added, and they want to see Blackwell recover and be able to return to his job.

Boufford, who began his career in Amherstburg, said this community always supports one another. He said stores from as far as Ridgetown are supporting the cause.

Former and current co-workers also spoke positively of their colleague.

“He’s a wonderful, wonderful man,” said Tricia Pillon. “He’s excellent to work with. He’s very funny.”

Brett Morrison worked with Blackwell for five years and started a GoFundMe page for him. He said Blackwell always tries to help people and Morrison wanted to do something for him.

“I love Bill with my whole heart,” said Morrison. “He’s a fantastic individual.”

Blackwell was able to attend the fundraiser and said he is “hanging in there.” He noted he had back surgery several years ago that left him with nerve damage in his left leg. Dealing with that left him with a callus on the bottom of his foot and when that split, it got infected.

“They couldn’t save the foot,” he said.

The amputation took place earlier this year just below the left knee.

“I’ve been at Sobeys a long time and what I like most are the people I work with,” he said.

Blackwell said he started as a produce specialist and was promoted to assistant manager by former owner Rennie Rota. When the Truants took over, they made him produce manager, an opportunity he said he jumped at.

Of the fundraiser, he said he knew something was planned but he didn’t know the magnitude.

“It’s very humbling and emotional,” he said.

Local grocery store rallies to help one of their own

By Ron Giofu