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FOXBORO - Brittany Cann made balloon animals during a concert Sunday.

Six months ago, that feat seemed impossible as Cann, 13, and her 16-year-old sister, Danielle, were fighting for their lives after the brutal August shooting in their home near the Norton Reservoir.

The girls and their mother, Elizabeth, had just returned from a concert when Elizabeth's ex-boyfriend, Robert McDermott, shot and critically wounded the women and killed their dog. Elizabeth, 44, died.

A benefit concert Sunday at Fusion 5 on Route 1 in Foxboro drew a full house - including, miraculously, Brittany and Danielle.

"I did not expect anything like this to actually happen," Brittany said. Sunday's benefit for the Cann sisters was the first of three fundraising concerts being organized by family friend Michelle Bates with help from talent promoter Kerrie Angell. The other two concerts have not been scheduled, Bates said.

The Cann sisters' presence made Sunday more special, Bates said.

"They're our two little miracles," she said.

"It's only six months later and they're here dancing. It's wonderful!"

"They're like the best teenagers ever!"

A small framed photo of Danielle, Brittany and their sister Amanda greeted guests as they entered the function hall. The photo was on page 1 of Saturday's Sun Chronicle.

Norton resident Susan Layton said her son Matt is 16, the same as Danielle.

Matt is a member of All or Nothing, among the bands that performed Sunday.

The band also includes Danielle's boyfriend, said Wayne Cann, her father.

Layton said she came to the concert to support the Canns. "I think the tragedy just touched everybody in Norton," Layton said.

Plainville resident Jim Denson said his brother lived around the corner from the Canns.

"My brother's daughters would babysit for the kids," Denson said.

"I think it's amazing, for what they went through, to see them bounce back," he said.

"I don't know how you describe the good feeling from something like that."

Sunday's turnout gave the Cann family, including the sisters, a good feeling as well.

"It makes them feel good to know all these people really care about them," Wayne Cann said.

"They don't know half of the people talking to them."

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.