Community Corner

Canton Community Plans Fundraisers For Injured Town Worker

Events will benefit Perry Polderman as he recovers.

Members of the Canton community are holding two fundraisers for town employee and local business owner Perry Polderman, who is still recovering from injuries sustain in a motorcycle accident in early September.

The first is a benefit pasta dinner on Oct. 20 at the Canton Community Center, organized by Polderman’s co-workers at the town’s Public Works Department, with support from the town of Canton.

“We just wanted to help him out as much as we possibly could,” said Tom Richardson, president of the R1-198 chapter of the National Association of Government Employees, the local union of Public Works employees and custodians.

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A catered dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. People are encouraged to cycle through and there will be a table for cards. Tickets are $20 (under 10 free) and are available at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours. Checks to the town of Canton will be accepted. Donations can also be sent to Town of Canton, c/o Perry Polderman, P.O. Box 168, Collinsville CT 06022.

In addition, Polderman’s co-workers will sell tickets and accept donations at a booth near the transfer station from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. The ticket sales and all efforts the day of the dinner will be done on volunteer time, Richardson added.

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He did, however, want to thank the town, especially Public Works Director Robert Martin, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner and Town Clerk Linda Smith — for their help in offering use of the community center, agreeing to help collect the funds as it would for a retirement and helping to promote the event.

Martin said it’s been great seeing everyone come together.

“This town is like a family,” he said. “I was really happy the town fathers were able to help the guys and help the family.”

While Polderman’s injuries were serious, he is getting better, Martin said.

“Perry is making progress,” he said. “He’s hoping to attend the benefit and his spirits are good.”

A second fundraiser is also being organized for Polderman.

Like Polderman, Cheryl Ouellette is an avid motorcycle rider and regularly rides with a group she started dubbed Outspoken-N Girlz.

 So Ouellette decided to organize a ride and general benefit for Polderman on Nov. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. It will include a ride through neighboring towns as well as a post-ride event at Rice Fields in Canton Village. Non-riders are encouraged to attend after the ride. Schedule at Rice Fields is as follows:

  • Registration — Noon to 1 p.m.
  • Ride — 1 to 2 p.m.
  • Raffle — 2 to 3 p.m.
  • Disc Jockey — Noon to 3 p.m.
  • Food/Entertainment — 3 to 5 p.m.

Cost is $25 for riders and adult attendees. Motorcycle passengers get a $5 discount and it will be $10 for kids under 12 and seniors.  There will be a cash bar.

Ouellette said her husband Ricky met Polderman after Pat Vincent retired from the transfer station attendant’s job approximately a year ago.

“He just a great guy in a really unfortunate situation,” Ouellette said. “We want to see him get through this and get well.”

Anyone who wants to help with the effort can e-mail Ouellette at out.spokenone@yahoo.com.

Donations can also be made to Perry Polderman c/o Robert Coffin, Collinsville Savings Society, PO Box 350, 
Canton, CT 06019.

 

 


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