Ingleside Ontario – On Saturday, July 23rd, 2016, at 10am, Sara Lauzon invites the public to join her at the St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery in Ingleside Ontario, to commemorate the lives of 29 House of Refuge inmates that were originally buried on the House of Refuge property (and relocated to the Ingleside Cemetery with unmarked graves in 1985).

The monument will be unveiled to the public, and it will be followed by a small ceremony and a prayer.

“In the early 1900s when these people were originally buried on the House of Refuge property, the only person present at the time of their burial was the person digging the hole. There were no funerals, and there were no loved ones surrounding them as they were laid to rest. On July 23rd, I invite you to change history with me. On July 23rd, they will be remembered and honoured the way they should have been nearly 100 years ago,” Sara Lauzon explained.

Sara Lauzon spent over a year raising the money to make this monument become a reality.

“This is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I’m so excited for July 23rd! I raised the money in all kinds of ways. I did about 15 historic walks (on Sydney and Pitt Street). I did lectures for groups, and when I was asked if I charged, I said no but did explain that I was fundraising. Every group gave me a donation for my time. I had a yardsale. People dropped off things they weren’t using, and I sold it. People were amazing. It was pouring rain, but groups of people still showed up to donate, or to purchase things. Around Christmas I sold House of Refuge Christmas ornaments for $5 a piece. That generated a lot of donations” Sara Lauzon reflected.

“Honestly, the most incredible part of this entire journey is the support from my community. I can’t express how grateful I am to everyone for helping me make this goal a reality,” Sara Lauzon concluded.

The St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery is located at 15570 County Rd. 2, R.R. #3, in Ingleside, Ontario. The event is free to attend. For more info visit the event page on Facebook.