Can You Help a Fellow "Car Guy" In Need of Assistance?

Mike Quinn

Benefit    Cars For Sale

Mike Quinn was born and raised in rural Caledonia, outside of Brantford. He was one of 6 boys and 3 girls. Probably not such a large family for the mid 1940's. Mike says that he started his automobile “wrenching” in the barn, at the age of 11 and his passion for cars has never waned...it sometimes overcame him.

In 1980, Quinn family members took over the Stafford House Tavern on Danforth Avenue in Toronto and by 1981 it was renamed Quinn’s. Quinn’s soon grew to 2 locations and became renowned for “the best wings in Toronto”. Changing times finally saw the last Quinn’s pub close up in 1995. Since that time, Mike has been self employed in the carpentry/construction business.

On December 27, 2007, in a matter of minutes, life was also irrevocably changed for Mike Quinn & Jennifer Mitchell.

Mike and Jennifer took a 2007 Christmas vacation in Mexico. Jennifer’s son, Palmer, visiting from Scotland, and Mike’s son Matt and his daughter Sarah joined them. Two days before they were all due to return to Toronto, they visited a beach across the shore from their hotel. There where no flags flying, that day, to suggest that the water was unsafe. Mike ambled along the beach, in about two feet of water, when a rogue wave crashed into his back, throwing him face first into the sand (we’re talking about a 250 pound, 6’+ guy). He was unable to move, couldn’t call for help, and believed he would drown. He then passed out under the strain of 3 cracked vertebrae in his neck, and a compression lower down in his back. Fortunately, his son Matt and another bystander quickly saw that Mike wasn’t moving, and hauled him out of the water.

The next 12 hours added to an already nightmarish situation. Mike required an air ambulance to get him back to Toronto from Mexico at a cost of US$43,000 (not insured), which Jennifer had to raise before Mike could be transferred. Once this was done, the hospital in Mexico wouldn’t release Mike until Jennifer could come up with another US$7,000 to pay their bill for one day of care. Finally, all the paperwork was completed and Mike was flown home, where an ambulance took him to the Spinal Cord Trauma Centre of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

For the first few days Mike was totally paralyzed, but has regained movement in his legs and right hand. He has a huge amount of will power and will hopefully continue to recover. He has consequently been moved to Toronto Rehab’s Lyndhurst Centre, where he is expected to remain for up to 3 months to try to regain full use of his limbs and his walking abilities.

Mike’s rehabilitation task is quite daunting. But equally daunting is the need for financial assistance. Mike was self-employed and, therefore, will not be in receipt of any income or workman's compensation of any sort. Overcoming this debt of $50,000 and loss of income seems insurmountable at the moment.

We are asking all of Mike’s friends, family and associates to help us to help Mike and Jennifer. No matter what the amount is, every bit would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to assist in any way, please make a contribution to:

Canada Trust
2044 Queen Street E., Toronto, ON M4E 1C9
Branch # 392 / Account # 6332066
Name of: Jennifer Mitchell in trust for Michael Quinn.
If you have a Canada Trust account, a computer transfer can be made. Other major banks will allow an e-mail transfer into this Canada Trust account.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our heartfelt request.

Benefit for Mike Quinn

The “Benefit” night details, to date, are as follows:

• It will take place at the Balmy Beach Club (Beaches area) on Sunday, Feb. 17th (prior to Feb, 18th Provincial Family holiday), between 4:00 and 8:00pm.
• The club is located at the: Foot of Beech Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. M4E 1A7 Phone: (416) 691-9962.
• The cost per person is $50.00. This will include snack food and entertainment.
• The entertainment planned to date is: Ron James - Comedian; Music and song by Joe Sexton and his ‘Piece of the rock’ band, John Prince - Singer/Entertainer and Frank Wilks of the ‘White Buffalo’ group - Singer/Entertainer. The emcee for the day will be Jeff Chalmers of 92.5 jack fm.
• We are planning a 50/50 draw for the evening as well as a 'Silent Auction" with some great items. We still need items for this auction.
• For details concerning the benefit night, contact Russell Everitt at 416-463-7503 or greygarageruss@aol.com

1956 Ford Truck --- $2,500.00
1961 Dodge --- $2,500.00
1961 Jaguar Mark IX --- $10,000.00
1965 Ford T-Bird --- $5,000.00
1973 Porsche 914 --- $3,000.00
1974 BMW 2002 --- $2,500.00
1975 Dodge camper van Parts car --- $300.00
1978 Ford T-Bird - Parts car --- $450.00
1979 Ford T-Bird  T Top Parts car --- $450.00
1980 Mercedes 450SL --- $7,000.00
1984 BMW 318i --- $750.00
1985 Mercedes 300SD --- $1,000.00
1987 Dodge Shelby Z - T Top --- $1,500.00
1989 Dodge Dakota --- $1,500.00
1989 Dodge Ram Charger --- $500.00
1989 Lincoln Town Car --- $2,500.00
1990 Chrysler Lebaron --- $1,000.00
1990 Ford Dually 7.3 diesel --- $3,500.00
1992 Ford Crewcab 7.3 diesel --- $2,500.00
1995 Ford F350 Crewcab --- $1,500.00
1997 Dodge Intrepid --- $2,500.00

For further detail on any vehicles, contact Mike at Lyndhurst Rehab on his cell phone: 416-819-2732.