United for Humboldt

Details

Published on Thursday, April 26, 2018

Community packs Yellowhead Arena for fundraiser

Photo courtesy of Alan Gillies: Left to right: Spruce Plains RCMP Cpl. Jacob Stanton. Constable Kofi Ilboudo, Neepawa mayor Adrian de Groot, Neepawa Natives general manager Myles Cathcart, Neepawa/Gladstone Co-op fresh food department manager Darren Roe and Natives head coach Dustin Howden.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

There’s a reason why the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash has struck such a nerve with people across Canada. It’s because every single one of us can relate to traveling to and from some type of activity via bus. Whether it was for school, for sports or some other extracurricular activity; we’ve all been there, or known someone close to us that has. And that’s why we stand with Humboldt…That’s why Neepawa stands with Humboldt.

On Thursday, Apr. 19, just over 700 people packed the Yellowhead Centre for the community barbecue and fundraiser. A large percentage of those in attendance wore a hockey jersey in a show of solidarity for the Broncos, who were involved in a collision with a semi-truck on Apr. 6, on the way to a playoff game in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. The accident resulted in 16 fatalities, with the victims including 10 players, two coaches, a statistician, a broadcaster, the bus driver, and the team’s athletic therapist. The remaining passengers, 13 in total, received injuries, most of them serious.

In the days and weeks since the crash, communities across the nation have formalized in one way or another to offer support for the victims. One such event was recently coordinated by management with Neepawa/Gladstone Co-op and the Neepawa Natives. Co-op fresh foods department manager Darren Roe said the amount of support generated locally was even better than they could have hoped for.

“The support has been great. Seeing this amount of people come together in response to what happened to Humboldt is just so encouraging. The tragedy has touched so many lives because we’ve all been on a bus or known someone who has [rode] a bus,” stated Roe. “[Organizers] just want to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out. Thank you to all the people who offered to assist with putting this together and the companies that donated food. 

Many employees with the Neepawa/Gladstone Co-op were also on hand, doing what they could to make the fundraiser a success. Other businesses also offered support through donations or other means. 

To go along with the number of board members, and players with Neepawa Natives, who were involved Neepawa Farmers, NACI Tigers and Yellowhead Chiefs were also involved. Natives general manager Myles Cathcart said the hockey community is a close-knit one, so something like this truly affects them all.

“A person does think about the situation a lot. We all know the number of miles we drive up and down the highway and it becomes second nature. There are no words that can explain the sorrow and hurt we feel for the players, families, community and organization of Humboldt.  All we can do is support the best way we can,” said Cathcart. “Hockey is an incredible sport. It is one of the best team games in terms of a brotherhood. It has a unique way of bringing people together unlike anything else. We are impressed with the community of Neepawa and surrounding areas for jumping up when called upon.  We did [the fundraiser] on short notice and everyone came together to support an important situation. It was not about us, but what the community could do for the Broncos.” 

As part of the ceremony, there was a moment of silence for the victims of the accident. Several notable local individuals also spoke, including Neepawa mayor Adrian de Groot, who said that this event has emotionally affected many in attendance. He added that event provided many with an outlet show their support in some way for the Broncos and the community of Humboldt. 

The initial amount raised through the barbecue was an estimated $8,000. Roe stated that the money will be forwarded to one of two charitable options; either foundation organized to distribute the funds that were raised through the GoFundMe account or the SJHL’s mental health assistance program. 

Photos by Eoin Devereux: Just over 700 people attended the fundraiser for Humboldt at the Yellowhead Centre on Thursday, Apr. 19. 

The support for Humboldt banner hangs behind the table where people dropped off donations.

Players with NACI Tigers and Yellowhead Chiefs assisted with the distribution of food at the event.