The families of Kyleigh Buckton and Lydia Caven at a November 18 Kisses for Kyleigh, Love for Lydia social event. Left to right, Kyleigh's grandparents Bill and Sue Buckton, Kyleigh's parents Kristy and Brent Buckton, Lydia's parents Brad and Kimmie Caven, and grandparents Mary and Bob Rodgers.

Hub Staff

“Saugeen Shares” was a phrase used by the Buckton and Caven families as they summarized how the Saugeen Shores community had banded together to help both families and their daughters.

Six month old locals Kyleigh Buckton and Lydia Caven were both born in May, just a week apart, both with holes in their hearts, and both have recently undergone surgical procedures at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.

A social event, Kisses for Kyleigh, Love for Lydia, at Lakeshore Recreation in Port Elgin was held November 18 to raise money for the Buckton and Caven families, with hundreds of people from the community, including family and friends, showing up to offer their support.

Kyleigh's grandmother, Sue Buckton, said that both families were doing amazing. “We're blown away with the generosity of the community, it's crazy,” she said, adding that although no direct requests had been made, organizers of the event had had a large number of items and prizes donated for the event. At least 60 silent auction items and approximately 30 raffle items were donated by businesses and people within the community wanting to help. “Probably if you name it, we've been given it,” said Buckton.

Both girls are doing well.

Buckton said of her granddaughter, “Kyleigh never used to really cry, she was never really hungry because it was such an effort for her to eat. It was an hour and 40 minutes for her to get a bottle in. She slams it out in 15 minutes now, it's like night and day,” she said.

Lydia's mom, Kimmie Caven said Lydia was also doing great. “We just got back from the hospital on Sunday and she's doing amazing. She's got a lot more energy."

Farley Ring, Kyleigh's aunt and one of the organizers of the event said, “That's all we wanted, two healthy babies."

Money raised will be divided equally between the two families. Originally the event had been planned for Kyleigh's family but when they were made aware of Lydia and her family, the decision for a joint effort was made. “They're both from the same town, let's just do them together,” said Ring, adding that the money will go toward lost wages, medical expenses and prescription drugs as neither family have access to health benefits.

Brad Caven, Lydia's dad said that the community has been amazing. “It's incredible the support, right from day one,” he said.

Kyleigh's mom, Kristy Buckton was overwhelmed. “I'm trying not to cry. It's amazing, I don't even know how to describe it,” she said.

Kyleigh's dad, Brent Buckton said that Kyleigh is doing great. “She's gaining weight, she's feeding,” he said. “It's been unreal what everyone's been doing in the community, it just blows me away.”

Go Fund Me pages have been set up for both families. Kisses for Kyleigh and Love you More Lydia have to date raised over $20,000 and almost $11,000 respectively.

The final tally from the evening was not yet available at the time of publishing but it was estimated that close to $14,000 had been raised.

A framed photo of each of the girls could be seen at the entrance of the event, stood to either side of a letter from the parents of the two girls, Kristy and Brent Buckton and Kimmie and Brad Caven, which read:

Thank you to all our wonderful friends, both old and new.

We are humbled by the outpouring of support, love and good wishes that we have received in the past few weeks, We feel extremely blessed and proud to be living in this amazing community of Saugeen Shores. It truly should be named “Saugeen Shares”.

Our families thank you all for embracing our little super heroes Kyleigh and Lydia.

The donations to Go Fund Me and tonight's silent auction and raffles are far greater than we could ever imagine. This fundraiser has touched our hearts and we thank you sincerely for coming.

Both families released letters to the community which can be read below.

From Brent, Kristy and Kyleigh Buckton:

Worried was how we felt when we took Kyleigh to emerg in Southampton.

Terrified is how we felt when we almost lost her in London.

Impatient is how we felt while we waited for her much needed surgery.

Nervous, anxious, hopeful, and optimistic is how we were feeling when Kyleigh went in for her surgery.

Thrilled, ecstatic, happy, and elated was how we felt when she came out of surgery with flying colours.

Blessed, loved, grateful, supported, and overwhelmed with kindness is how we felt and still feel about our community.

This dictionary defines community as : a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Brent, Kyleigh, and I define our community of Saugeen Shores in one word : Family!

People tend to like where they live, not many can say they love where they live. We can!

The outpouring of love, support, and positivity has overwhelmed us. Kyleigh has no idea how lucky she is to live in such an amazing place.

We don't know where to begin to thank each and everyone of you. What this community has done for our family is truly extraordinary.

Many beautiful things cannot be seen or touched, they are felt within the heart.

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you so very, very much!

From Brad, Kimmie and Lydia Caven:

Just a little update: Lydia had her open heart surgery November 7th to repair the 5 holes. Surgery went very well even though it was a very scary day. Her recovery has been great, we are heading to London for another echo on Monday and are hoping for no surprises.

We would like to thank all our family, friends and the community for all their thoughts, prayers, love and support during the difficult time. It was very comforting and helped us through one of hardest and scariest moments of our lives. It is because of all the love and prayers that Lydia was so strong and was able to rock the surgery and recovery. We would like to thank the Buckton family for including us in this amazing event and for all your help and support during the last couple weeks - it meant a lot and we are extremely thankful. We would also like to thank Farley and her crew that helped make tonight possible - all your love and hard work has been amazing and truly heartwarming.

Framed photographs of Kyleigh (left) and Lydia were on display at the event with a letter from their parents thanking the community.

Some of the friends and family of Kyleigh and Lydia who organized and helped to put on the social evening at Lakeshore Recreation. Front row, left to right, Maxine Thornton, Jodi Tomori, Emily Martindale, Farley Ring, Brittany Sanderson. Back row, Susan Drummond (left) and Elisha Patey.

Hundreds of people - family, friends and members of the community came out November 18 to show their support for the Kisses for Kyleigh, Love for Lydia event.

Guests looked over the approximate 60 silent auction items and 35 raffle items that were donated in support of the Buckton and Caven families.