Quinn's Place fundraiser exceeding expectations

It started with plans for a playground in tribute to five-year-old Quinn Butt after her tragic death, but the Quinn's Place fundraising project has already far exceeded expectations.

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Adam Stead, one of the project's organizers, said he was inspired by his own daughter to do something to help honour the memory of a little girl whose lifeless body was pulled from a burning home in Carbonear on April 24.

Her father, Trent Butt, is charged with first-degree murder. 

"I have a little girl, same age as Quinn, same interests as Quinn, and when I saw the story, it just broke my heart," Stead said on CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show.

"I started off as angry, then sad, then I felt I needed to do something, I just didn't know what. I didn't ever expect the outpouring of support."

'Phenomenal' support

Stead said that the amount of giving has been "absolutely phenomenal,"  with support coming from all over North America.

The project has already raised $25,000, more than five times its original goal.

"It started off as a small fundraiser where I wanted to do something, I just didn't know what it was, for the family, or in [Quinn's] honour," he said."Within three days it turned in to a playground and now it's much, much more than that."

The Quinn's Place playground will be built at Paradise Elementary, and will be inclusive for children with special needs.

Some of the remaining money will be used to renovate two rooms at Iris Kirby House, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

Renovations, and a bursary

Stead came up with the idea during a visit to the shelter.  

"I asked if there was a room where they go and they brought us down to a room and it was pretty cold," Stead said.

"I thought, my background is in interior design and project management, so I thought this is a great place where we can really make a change."

One space will be a play room for younger kids, while the other will be a room for teenagers, providing a fun escape.

"When kids go in to that room, whatever happened in their life outside, they're going to forget about it," said Stead.

The third part of the project is a bursary for students who give back to their community. The bursary will begin next year and will be available to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Stead said he's been in contact with Quinn's mother several times. He has shared all the plans with her and said that she's been very appreciative. 

"She's overwhelmed, just as I am, about the response and it gives her hope. For someone who has gone through so much, it's nice that she has that opportunity," Stead said.   

Quinn's Carnival

To reach the fundraising goal, Stead said he will be holding Quinn's Carnival on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Paradise Double Ice Complex.

Children are welcome until 8 p.m., and live entertainment with silent and live auctions are also planned for the event. 

Stead said that he's hoping to raise as much money as possible to make something positive from such a negative situation. 

"The bad that has happened, this is about celebrating Quinn Butt's life and helping raise awareness to domestic violence and family violence."