Community support has poured in for a Mapleton family who recently lost their father and husband in an incident at Conestogo Lake earlier month.
A GoFundMe page to support the education for the children of Matt Ottens has surpassed $155,000 in just over a week. The original target was set at $13,000.
According to his Twitter page, Ottens was a father of four children and a cash crop farmer based in Mapleton.
The 33-year-old died on June 13 at Conestogo Lake. OPP reported he jumped out of a boat to assist a child in the water and failed to resurface. The child was safely pulled out of the water.
Afterwards, family friend Graham Brown organized an online fundraiser on behalf of Matt Ottens’ wife Leona for their four children’s education.
“Matt Ottens was an amazing man, husband and friend,” Brown wrote in the GoFundMe. “Matt was the most incredible person and I am very blessed that I could call him my friend.”
Brown could not be reached for comment.
In just over a week of being created, nearly 900 donations have come in totalling $156,830 as of Wednesday morning.
Donors also left words expressing their sympathy for the family and their memories of Matt Ottens.
“The picture of him with two of his children, so lovely, you could see how much they loved him,” wrote Rebecca Boyington. “Sorry to lose such a good soul, but seeing how many people care and have contributed is phenomenal.”
“His smile was contagious, he loved his family with all his heart,” wrote Gerry and Emily de Mol. “He gave of himself so freely and that legacy will carry on with those he touched and loved.”
“Leona, we're so saddened by your loss,” wrote Tanner and Jenette Hackbart. “Praying you'll feel God's comfort, strength and peace surrounding you and your family as you journey through this unimaginably difficult time.”
