Corbeil, a friendly hamlet in the Township of East Ferris, is famous as the birthplace of the Dionne Quintuplets and it is also home to a tireless group of volunteers. The Corbeil Busy Bees is a non-profi t community group that has worked diligently for over 30 years to provide an after-service luncheon free of charge to family and friends following a funeral. While there’s no cost to use the service, a donation is often made as a tangible expression of thanks.
The founding members were Agnes Voyer, Dianne Carriere, Iva Wilson, Antoinette Voyer, Dean Savage, Denise Tailleffer, Veronica Lambkin, Louise Giroux, Evelyn Duplessis, Gisele Vrebosch, and Collette Gravelle. There are others who regularly participate, but the core group has the organization’s operation down pat after three decades of springing into action when the call goes out.
Approximately 15-20 residents are on a list of contacts. Once they are called, they appear and go to work. “Someone makes a pot of beans,” explains Vrebosch. “Someone orders the bread and sandwich material. Someone bakes cakes and some are servers and caterers. Everybody knows their job and gets it done.”
She explains that “Families need a nonstressful place to gather with their friends and families before they head home. It takes a lot of pressure from the families when they really don’t need to be dealing with these issues. It’s a way for the community to share their grief with them and show them that we care.”
Each spring and fall a Rummage Sale is held which concentrates on donated used clothing. Outside of donations, the sale is the only source of income for the group. “By offering the clothing to the community at a very reduced price, we serve the community by recycling the clothing and many low-income people are able to buy clothing they otherwise couldn’t afford,” says Vrebosch.
Given the great work of the Corbeil Busy Bees, local residents know about the rummage sales and are very supportive. Vrebosch wants to remind the community how much the group relies on their support. “If there wasn’t a rummage sale we couldn’t survive,” she admits. Put Oct. 4 on your calendar and plan to support the Busy Bees as they continue their work of supporting Corbeil families.