![['<p>Ten-year-old Griffin Read stands on a fire truck at the Summerside Fire Department. Griffin was diagnosed with cancer, and members of the department hosted a special day for him on Friday by picking him up at his house in a fire truck and making him an honorary fire chief.</p>']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/griffin-read-2916874.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=enhance%2Ccompress%2Cformat)
A little community support can go a long way.
And when a family in need receives help that exceeds all expectations, it's truly remarkable.
Organizer Crystal Cormier estimates about $100,000 has been raised for the Read family of Summerside.
Ten-year-old Griffin Read was diagnosed with desmoplastic round blue cell sarcoma after a tumor was discovered on his abdomen in June.
Multiple fundraisers have been done in support of the family, with the biggest, a benefit auction that took place last month, raising just over $72,000, and had more than 500 people in attendance.
The winning bid alone for Griffin's homemade cake was $900.
"It's overwhelming, and was a pretty amazing evening with the way everything came together," said Cormier. "The amount of money we raised was beyond my expectation, which is fantastic."
She said it's incredible the way the community and province have pulled together for the Reads.
"It's honestly amazing to see the amount of love and support."
Trudy and Jason are "floored" by the community's help for their son, and they said it's almost impossible to thank everyone enough, said Cormier.
"They are beyond appreciative and thankful for the community in the midst of what they're dealing with.
"It's something I don't think any of us organizers or certainly Jason and Trudy, Griffin, Sophie and Quinn will ever forget," she added.
For the night of the benefit, T-shirts with a logo created to honour Griffin's favourite superhero, Superman, were sold that had a "G" instead of a "S" "#GriffinStrong" was printed on the back.
The T-shirts are still for sale and anyone looking to buy can contact Cormier at (902) 439-4000.
Donations can also be made at gofundme.com/zarxy8, which has raised $16,000 so far.
"It's touching, and I know it meant a lot to Griffin to see the community backing him. This can't take that devastation away, but it almost clears a small weight off their shoulders to have the support."
A little community support can go a long way.
And when a family in need receives help that exceeds all expectations, it's truly remarkable.
Organizer Crystal Cormier estimates about $100,000 has been raised for the Read family of Summerside.
Ten-year-old Griffin Read was diagnosed with desmoplastic round blue cell sarcoma after a tumor was discovered on his abdomen in June.
Multiple fundraisers have been done in support of the family, with the biggest, a benefit auction that took place last month, raising just over $72,000, and had more than 500 people in attendance.
The winning bid alone for Griffin's homemade cake was $900.
"It's overwhelming, and was a pretty amazing evening with the way everything came together," said Cormier. "The amount of money we raised was beyond my expectation, which is fantastic."
She said it's incredible the way the community and province have pulled together for the Reads.
"It's honestly amazing to see the amount of love and support."
Trudy and Jason are "floored" by the community's help for their son, and they said it's almost impossible to thank everyone enough, said Cormier.
"They are beyond appreciative and thankful for the community in the midst of what they're dealing with.
"It's something I don't think any of us organizers or certainly Jason and Trudy, Griffin, Sophie and Quinn will ever forget," she added.
For the night of the benefit, T-shirts with a logo created to honour Griffin's favourite superhero, Superman, were sold that had a "G" instead of a "S" "#GriffinStrong" was printed on the back.
The T-shirts are still for sale and anyone looking to buy can contact Cormier at (902) 439-4000.
Donations can also be made at gofundme.com/zarxy8, which has raised $16,000 so far.
"It's touching, and I know it meant a lot to Griffin to see the community backing him. This can't take that devastation away, but it almost clears a small weight off their shoulders to have the support."
