Couple uses museum to benefit Canadian Foodgrains Bank
KIRKTON, ON—A retired couple is using its collection of antique farm equipment to raise funds for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB).
For the past 10 years, George and Verna Burgin have owned and operated the Heritage Barn Museum to help people learn what life was like in pioneer days, as well as raise money for CFB, the Winnipeg-based organization working to end global hunger.
The museum is located on the Burgins' four-and-a-half acres of land, about an hour west of Kitchener, Ontario. The barn on the property is from 1919 and was the last of its type built in the community.
The museum also includes things like a foot-powered sewing machine, vintage oil cans, rare tractors, pioneer tools, farm equipment, cream separators, apple peelers and turnip pulpers.
George's interest in farming was the spark that led to the Burgins' collecting antiques. A number of his relatives on his mother's side of the family were farmers, and for a number of years, George spent two months each summer working on his uncle's farm.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it became a part of me," says George, a retired teacher.
The Burgins started the museum because they felt there must be a greater purpose for their collection of antiques than simply for their own enjoyment. Hundreds of people visit the museum each year when it's open from May to October. Admission is by donation, and all of the money goes to CFB.
George and Verna, who are members at Community Bible Church near Elginfield, north of London, have donated to CFB for almost 30 years. They support the CFB because it's a church-based organization and because the government contributes funds to match people's donations.
"CFB provides food for the less fortunate, primarily in Africa and places that are hard-hit because of circumstances beyond their control," George says. "Verna and I are Christians, and we learned of the need, so we wanted to get involved."
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