Community steps up to support bereaved family
By Cecilia Nasmith
The flag at half-mast at Port Hope's town hall is in remembrance of a young citizen gone far too soon.
Twelve-year-old Cormac Kerin died Dec. 2 as the result of an accident near Campbellcroft. News of the lowered flag was posted on the municipality's website, along with condolences to the family and the children's friends, classmates and peers.
Cormac and his 10-year-old sister Shea were injured while boarding their school bus, parked eastbound at the foot of a hill to pick them up. A westbound vehicle lost control and hit the Kerin children.
“A shocking event of this nature impacts the whole community, as we try to come to terms with this profound loss,” Mayor Bob Sanderson said in the municipality's posting.
“May we lend our support to the Kerin family in any way that we can during this most difficult time.”
Members of the community reaching out, wanting to help in any way they might, can now give their support through a drive being put together by a group of parents at St. Anthony Elementary School, spokesperson Katherine Wotton Farrow said.
An account was set up Dec. 3 and, within 24 hours, enough caring community members came through that they were able to present the family with $20,000. Support of this kind makes it easier for the family – Brendan, Jennifer and their daughter Aishling – to focus everything they have on helping Shea fight for her life at the Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto.
Brendan Kerin put a post on Facebook, extending the family's thanks to the first responders who made the difference in there being some hope for her.
“We are aware of how far this has affected people and the pain and hurt this has caused. In particular our concern for their school classmates and staff, teammates and friends,” he stated.
He asked for prayers for the other children who were on the bus, as well as the driver.
The Kerin home has become something of a shrine, with friends expressing their grief through such tokens of love as flowers, notes and stuffed animals. The fund that has been set up gives them the opportunity to do more.
This initiative (as well as its spectacular start) is a group effort, Wotton Farrow said, “and really it's the community that needs to be thanked. Everyone has stepped up – we just gave them an outlet.”
Anyone who would like to help can make e-mail donations at kerinfamily2020@hotmail.com.
The group is also accepting gift cards that could be helpful at this time, such as grocery cards or prepaid Visa cards. You can arrange to present these cards by e-mailing kwottonfarrow@gmail.com.
