Kitchen party for Kent
Community organizes fundraiser for well-known volunteer
The decision was simple for Kent Corbett.
He was admitted to the Aberdeen Hospital a month ago with an infection in his leg that caused him to be considerably ill for a period of time.
“The question was asked, life or limb, and I think everyone would answer life. I am still here,” he said with a smile from his hospital bed. “No worries about the limb. “
Since he has been in the hospital, Corbett has been focused on his recovery. He said he expects to be in the Aberdeen Hospital for two weeks before he is transferred the rehab unit in Pictou.
His return to his home in Central Caribou will be determined not only by his own improvements in his health,
but also when the necessary renovations can be done to his home to accommodate his need for a wheelchair and accessible bathroom.
A local family has offered to donate a wheelchair to him, once used by another wellknown Pictou resident who died recently. Corbett says he is grateful to have that expense checked off his list.
“That will allow me to get home sooner too,” he said, adding his family is in the process of applying for grants for a ramp for the home.
“I am doing good,” he said. “I have had plenty of visitors. I appreciate that and anyone who has shown any type of support.“
Corbett is well known in Pictou as well as the county for his volunteer efforts. He is involved with the Pictou Carnival, Pictou North Colchester Exhibition and Northumberland Fisheries Museum, just to name a few.
In fact, even though he is in hospital, his passion for volunteerism remains strong.
“I am still working a little bit with carnival, doing stuff from behind the scenes,” he said, between watching his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs and thinking about how he will get to watch the pro-stock tour at Riverside Speedway in Antigonish for their first race in mid-June.
“I told them I wasn’t switching hospital rooms unless my television came with me and I need to be at Riverside on June 17,” he said with a laugh.
News of his illness and surgery spread fast throughout the local community, and within a short period of time, a fundraiser has been planned for April 29 at Royal Canadian Legion in Pictou from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Kitchen Party for Kent will include entertainment for the entire event as well as hourly 50/50 draws, silent auction and donations at the door.
Anyone wishing to donate to the silent auction or to ask questions can contact either Mandy Gormley at 902-3968575 or Mary K Tooke at 902301-6627.
An email address has also been created for volunteers to offer their time for the event: kitchenpartyforkent@gmail.com
A GoFundMe page has been started and currently has surpassed its goal of $5,000 in support of Corbett and his family. It can be viewed at www.gofundme.com.