Sault rallies behind Matt Petingalo (9 photos)

Thomas Archibald was among many Saultites who attended a recent fundraiser for Matthew Petingalo, one of two sledders injured in a serious head-on snowmobile crash on March 2 at Marks Bay.

SooToday.com received the following photos and account from Dawn Eckford, who organized the event.

************************* Family and friends of Matthew Petingalo, one of the near-death victims involved in the snowmachine accident on March 2 at Mark's Bay, set out on a campaign to raise money for much-needed expenses to help support the huge costs of out-of-town expenses due to the hospitalization of Matthew in Sudbury's St Joseph's hospital.

We organized a fundraiser that was held at Top Hat Billiards to help the family care for Matthew.

The support that we got from Sault Ste. Marie businesses and residents has been amazing!

It is a constant reminder to me why I am so proud to live and work in this great community.

Before setting out on this campaign I thought it would be difficult to campaign for prizes, ticket sales, etc.

What a shock it has been.

We asked support from over 30 businesses and all but one were able to assist us with prizing.

At this time we would like to thank residents for their support and the numerous businesses that have really stepped up to the plate to help us raise money for this fundraiser.

We would like to personally thank the following businesses for their generous support: - Top Hat Billiards (for supplying the entire establishment and free pool, three hats, three t-shirts, free pool and golf coupons.)

- Wingnuts (15 free pizzas for the event and free Wing coupons.)

- Rivercity Motor sports (one Polaris and one Arctic Cat snowmobile jacket).

- H&S (Choko modular helmet, tie downs, ATV luggage bag).

- Caribou Cabins (two-night stay in the honeymoon suite).

- Great Northern Cycle (motorbike helmet).

- Advanced Transmittion (three hats, four t-shirts, three mini flashlights, gift certificate for transmittion service).

- Zellers Station Mall (sandwich maker, Hamilton Beach three-cup chopper, set of four 16-ounce glasses).

- RJ's Market (fruit basket $50 value).

- Jackie's Styling Shop (gift basket).

- Case's Music (one-month free lessons).

- Wardlaw Wellington West ($25 gas card, hoodie sweatshirt, two t-shirts).

- Just Lubes ($45 gift certificate).

- Beach Bound (five tans and 25-minute aqua massage).

- Jiggarz (hat, t-shirt).

- Knights Inn (two $25 gift certificates).

- Atlas Auto Parts (adult Dale Earnhart shirt, kid's Dale Earnhart hoodie).

- Petingalo Contracting (leather hat).

- Construction Equipment (mini cooler, t-shirt, safety glasses, travel mug).

- Boston Pizza (two $25 gift certificates).

- H.R. Lash (Tommy Hilfiger t-shirt).

- Royal Tire (gift certificate for all-season car care package).

- Boots and saddles (two $20 gift certificates).

- Charlies Automotive (sweatshirt).

- Steelton Express Lube (free oil change, hat).

- The Salon (gift certificate).

- Kelly's Professional Family Hair Care (two gift certificates).

- J.C.'s Automotive (two gift certificates for free oil changes).

- Reyco Automotive (4 hats).

- Anonymous donator ($25 gift card for Wal-Mart).

- A&P Market Mall (stovetop cooking pot).

- Memoirs (clothing bag).

- JC Hydraulics (two hats).

- The Hair Factory ($25 gift certificate).

- Dean's Food Basics ($20 gift certificate).

- Tracks & Wheels (t-shirt).

- Benson's Auto Parts Extra (work light, t-shirt, hat).

- Lock City Dairies (two t-shirts, hat).

- Bank Of Montreal (note pad, bag).

- Flakeboard (golf balls, travel mug, umbrella, hat). The outcome of this fundraiser was a great success.

On behalf of the Petingalo family, I would like to thank everyone once again for their support. - Sincerely, Dawn Eckford

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