EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this story was written, Pat Best passed away following a battle with cancer. The Expositor wished her family and friends its sincere condolences.
GORE BAY—The reason for the success of the Angel Bus over the years has been the tremendous support of the community, including people like Pat Best.
“The Angel Bus is doing great, we have had great community spirit,” said Sandy Cook, a member of the Angel Bus committee. “Pat has always been one of the stalwarts, being very supportive of the Angel Bus.”
Ms. Best had presented the Angel Bus committee her newest handmade quilt earlier this year, to be auctioned off. “This was the fourth quilt Pat has made and donated to the Angel Bus, and this one, her ‘Fancy Flowers quilt, is the last one she is doing.”
“Pat had donated a quilt in 2019, and then COVID hit which put this on hold for a couple of years, but she has donated a quilt toward the Angel Bus the past three years,” said Ms. Cook.
“Through the auction of Pat’s quilts every year, just under $20,000 has been raised for the Angel Bus,” said Ms. Cook. “There are the people who contribute a lot with their time and effort selling tickets on Pat’s quilts every year. But is Pat’s handy work making these beautiful quilts that make them so easy to sell.”
“Pat’s efforts have hugely benefited the Angel Bus program,” said Ms. Cook.
In 2019 Ms. Best donated the quilt ‘Everything Country’ which drew a profit $3,479 for the Angel Bus. Her ‘Dreaming…Of my Manitoulin Home’ quilt (2022) raised $6,175. Another $4,670 was raised by her ‘Hey Loly, Lilly’ quilt (2023) with this year’s ‘Fancy Flowers’ quilt raising $4,896.50 for the Angel Bus.
Ms. Best said that she chose the Angel Bus charity to support with her donated quilts, “because it is an awfully good cause and I admire how the group; has taken hold and done it, providing a very useful service, the group built a garage, and how the Angel Bus is West End-centric.”
The draw for the ‘Fancy Flowers’ quilt was held Saturday, October 12 during Split Rail Brewery’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Sylvie Lamarche Lacroix, of Timmins, was the winner and the quilt has been safely passed on to her sister in Sudbury, who will deliver it to Ms. Lamarche Lacroix over the Christmas holidays. Stan Zieleniewski read the winning ticket with Andrea Smith and Shirley De Roche. Mr. Zieleniewski is a long-time driver and Angel Bus committee member. Ms. Smith drew the ticket and Ms. De Roche (owner and employee of Split Rail) held the barrel with all the tickets in it.
