Local community support shone brightly late last week for those affected by the Humboldt, Saskatchewan bus tragedy during the Battle of the Badges charity hockey tournament and BBQ at the Servus Arena.
Hundreds gathered outside the Arena, coming together to show their support for those affected by the April 6th collision that claimed 16 lives when a semi-trailer collided with the Humboldt Broncos bus.
In the weeks following, sadness continued to loom as funerals were held in various communities to honour the late team members.
This incident was tragic on many levels, but also because so many families are involved in community hockey leagues, so it hit particularly close to home for many.
Many of these young adults had dreams of one day making it to the NHL, and buses are a huge way of getting them to their games in these formative years of competing.
Meanwhile, Red Deer was one of the many communities who joined forces to show its support.
Red Deerians donned jerseys of different hockey teams as they spent time with family and friends before heading into the arena to watch the Red Deer RCMP take on Red Deer Emergency Services in a charity hockey match.
Proceeds from the BBQ and admission by donation will go to supporting the families and victims of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.
Starting off the game in a puck drop was Deborah Carpenter, sister of Broncos coach Darcy Haugan, who passed away in the collision.
The game was a friendly one to watch as fans, young and old, got together in good spirits to cheer on their favourite team.
The game was a way for Red Deerians to show their continued solidarity and support for Humboldt.
This was just one of the many events Central Alberta has taken part in for the Broncos.
Another event held earlier in the month was a memorial service in Blackfalds for people to show their support, donning jerseys or simply by attending.
Also in the month, thousands of students, teachers and citizens took part in Jersey Day, wearing their jerseys for the whole day in solidarity for Humboldt.
People also left hockey sticks on their porches, a symbol that stretched out further than Canada.
It’s times like these that remind us how supportive our fellow Canadians are in times of tragedy and crisis. This can easily be shown in the Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe page, which to date has brought in $15 million to those affected.
As people get back to their everyday routines, it’s important to continue to remember and support those affected by this devastating tragedy.
