On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 23, James Barr, 28 years old, a father of two and a loving husband was in a collision that required him to be airlifted by STARS to a hospital in Edmonton, where he is still waiting to recover.
Barr was crossing the intersection of Highway 33, and Township Road 590 when an oncoming vehicle struck his car, sending both into a nearby farmer’s field.
From the accident, Barr suffered two broken femurs, several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and an impact that is still unknown to both his brain and his spinal cord.
Barr is currently in a coma in the ICU at the University of Alberta, and sustaining the brain injuries that have yet to be determined.
His two young children, Jack, 5, and Abigail, 2, are currently staying with a friend and a family member in Barrhead, while Sarah, 24, stays in Edmonton to be closer to her husband.
Due to the severity of the circumstances this family faces, several friends have brainstormed some ideas in order to help raise money for the young family.
One of the ways family members are raising funds is through a profile on gofundme.com, where anyone can donate towards the cause.
The goal was to reach $5,000, one they since then have surpassed and beyond, with the help of both the community, and anonymous donors.
Friends are doing all they can, and have organized a fundraiser in hopes of raising money.
According to close friend Dale Kiselyk, Barr was consistently involved in a drumming circle, and for Kiselyk it only seemed suitable that they use this passion to help his family in a time of need.
Drumming Up Support for the Barr Family is an event that is being hosted on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the multi-purpose room at the Barrhead Agrena.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. the only fee is a donation to the family.
“We thought it would be a fitting type of fundraiser to hold here in town,” he said.
“The town has donated the use of the room so we don’t have any overhead for rental,” Connie Baur, another close friend of the family said, adding that another local business is donating the printing of the posters for the event.
Coffee, tea, and a few snacks will also be available at the fundraiser.
Bauer said there are no other costs that will need to be covered, so any money made is going straight to the family.
“Everything is going to go towards them,” she said, adding that the Barrhead TD Bank has opened a trust fund account for the family, so anyone who wishes to donate but cannot attend the event can still do so.
“This fundraiser is for his family,” Kiselyk said. “Because of the accident he is going to be in recovery for many, many months… The bills and everything, unfortunately, don’t stop.”
Kiselyk has known Barr for several years, and said that the two have worked and played together on many occasions.
“James and I over the past four years have spent considerable time sharing a few activities that we are passionate about, one of them being hand drumming,” he said, adding that is the reason the fundraiser involves the musical art.
According to Kiselyk the two are both avid canoeists, and Barr was working his way into becoming an instructor’s apprentice.
“We both have a passion for survival skills… He has come with me on those adventures,” he said.
Kiselyk went beyond just sharing his past-times with Barr, and even landed him a job as a plumber.
“I did lots with this guy,” he said. “In a lot of different places him and I really hook-up and share some passions together.”
Kiselyk said that when it comes to the fundraiser attendants should expect a bit of drumming, and also some sharing.
“You don’t need any musical background, you just come to watch or play,” Kiselyk said, adding that all of the instruments are provided at the event.
There is no age restriction, and everyone is welcome to join in.
For the small children there will be a small play area, where they can still listen to the sounds of the drums.
“There is going to be side activities for small children,” Kiselyk said.
Bauer said that they know the community will pull together for the family and donate at either the event itself, or at the TD Bank.
