2025 Impact Awards Winner: Enniskillen General Store

In early 2025, a devastating fire tore through downtown Bowmanville, Ont. 

As a historic business (built in 1840) and close neighbour in the region, the proprietors of Enniskillen General Store felt a deep responsibility to support its community in a time of crisis. 

It launched an initiative to raise funds and awareness for those affected and to help restore hope and momentum in the recovery process. 

“It's important to support the local community because it supports us all the time,” says owner Thomas Sheehan. “We give back, so we all grow stronger together.” 

Many other area businesses joined forces to organize fundraisers. 

The Enniskillen General Store donated all its ice cream sales from a one-day event. 

“It seemed like the entire town came out for ice cream,” Sheehan notes. 

The impact of the fire was widespread. Some residents lost everything, their homes and businesses. 

Sheehan says they were grateful for the funds, which helped them replace some belongings while waiting for insurance claims to be processed. 

“I can't imagine what they were all going through,” he explains. “We figured we could raise money so they can get some items needed immediately. We wished we could have done more.”