SouthShoreNow.ca

Lisa Brown
Lighthouse staff

 BLANDFORD - Nearly six months after a passenger jet plunged into the waters off the coast killing everyone on board, a Blandford woman is continuing her effort to ensure that some good comes from the tragedy.

 Jane Moffat Schnare says the people in her small coastal community have been through so much in the past year they need some permanent reminder of their strength and compassion in the face of adversity.

 In addition to the Swissair crash in their front yards, residents have had to cope with the double murder-suicide of two boys and their father on Tancook Island, the double murder of a well-liked couple in their community and several other tragic events.

 "I think people are probably still pretty numb," Ms Moffat Schnare says. "Everybody's working and taking care of each other. People are openly showing their grief and extending a lot of warmth and hugs and kindness and thoughtfulness. The community has really come together to support each other."

 In a community that has always been close, Ms Moffat Schnare says last year's events gave people of all ages and all walks of life a common ground. In a strange way, she adds, the plane crash had some positive spin-offs.

 "It's so wonderful to see that other people think that there's something unique about us. The fact that we're such caring, giving people and we just take it for granted," she says. "But we found out it's something special and I think that's something for us to celebrate."

 It's something people across the country and around the world have recognized in the wake of Flight 111's September 2 crash. At Ms Moffat Schnare's request, Swissair will donate $20,000 to Blandford as a thank-you. Plans are now in the works to decide what will be done with the money.

Aircraft pieces and wiring are handled many times in an effort to place them on the downed passenger jet. Any piece of debris could provide an essential clue to the cause of the September 2 crash.

 A focus group will hear proposals next month. A community meeting is scheduled for the Blandford Community Centre at 7:30 p.m. March 31 so everyone can hear the suggestions, which to date have included a playground, a walking trail and a scholarship fund.

 After that meeting, the best ideas will be sent out in a plebiscite so residents can all have a say.

 "The people will decide," Ms Moffat Schnare says.

 Swissair has agreed that the money can be split in two ways if that's the community's choice.

 Additional dollars are also coming from a Swiss fund called Help the Helpers. It was started by May Gasser, a retired journalist and author who has a second home in Upper Cornwall.

 Ms Gasser was so touched by the way local people reacted to the disaster that she started collecting money with the goal of helping fishermen affected by the crash. Swissair put her in touch with Ms Moffat Schnare, who believes the Helpers fund will now be added to the airline's donation and used for a community project.

 Vancouver Island master quilter Regina Selder, who has worked with people affected by crimes of violence, is also making a donation. She made a healing quilt in the traditional Nova Scotia pattern Storm at Sea and is hoping to present it to Blandford residents this summer.

 Ms Moffat Schnare hopes all the donations can be co-ordinated, along with commendations to members of the military who were stationed in Blandford during initial recovery work. Swissair has agreed to sponsor an event marking the community's contribution.

 "My thinking is that we should try to do it around the anniversary date," Ms Moffat Schnare says. "We didn't have any memorial service in Blandford for Swissair. We didn't even have an opportunity to come together and to sort of have an official recognition of that disaster, so I'm hoping that's what we can do."