Sundre’s council took several minutes in recognition of the loss recently suffered in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash before starting the regular agenda during the April 9 meeting.
“There are no words that anybody can say,” said Coun. Paul Isaac, who is also an active volunteer referee.
The moment of silence was observed in honour of the lives lost on Friday, April 6 when a tractor-trailer collided with a bus carrying the Broncos, a hockey team from the Saskatchewan community.
Of the 29 people on board, 16 perished, sending shock waves throughout Canada’s tight-knit hockey community.
“And so at a distance, we think about them, we lift them up in prayer, and we trust that somehow God protects them and brings people into their lives to help them through this unbelievable event,” he said.
Sundre Minor Hockey Association officials prepared a letter of support and were also planning to raise funds as well, he said, adding an online GoFundMe page had already received more than $4 million. That amount has since continued to grow and was reported by media to be at about $9 million as of Thursday, April 12.
Isaac then lowered his head and offered a prayer.
“Father, we don’t understand how you stand back and allow such tragedy. But through this all we do know, and we believe — for those of us who know you, Father — that you are in the midst of this; you are there to protect them, you are there to comfort them,” he said.
“And so we lift up those that have passed away, we pray for their families, for those that have survived. We ask that you surround them and help them heal physically, mentally and emotionally.”
After Isaac concluded the prayer, council then continued with its regular business, and later directed administration to draft correspondence on behalf of the municipality and Sundre residents expressing condolences to the community of Humboldt.
Throughout Sundre, many others also felt a calling to stand in solidarity with the Saskatchewan community that is still reeling from the sudden loss.
“Along with Canada and the rest of the world, we feel impacted by the Humboldt tragedy and feel inspired to help out,” said Sundre High School science teacher Ryan Beck, who also supervises the leadership class.
“On Thursday, all students and staff members wore a jersey or a green ribbon to honour and support the communities, families and athletes impacted by the tragedy.”
Several Sundre students are personally connected with some of the victims of the collision, and some of them decided to organize a fundraising effort to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, he said.
“We recognize that this account already has a tremendous amount of money, owing to the amazing global support.”
However, upon researching the lifetime costs associated with some of the life-altering injuries, such as paraplegia, the Sundre students decided raising additional funds would still be beneficial to help the affected families. So they organized a fundraiser, selling for $20 Humboldt Strong T-shirts designed by the students and made by Threadsetters, a Sundre-area business that donated the silkscreening and made available the shirts at cost, he said, expressing gratitude for the contribution.
“We will also collect donations if people would like to contribute but do not want a T-shirt.”
The students will continue to raise funds until April 24, and donations can be dropped off at the Sundre High School office, although the leadership class hopes to establish additional sites around the community, he said, adding the school will be closed for spring break until April 23.
More than 100 members of the Move Yourself Dance Studio from Sundre and Olds, who recently attended a festival in Stettler over the weekend of April 6-7 and won several cash prizes, also decided to donate their accumulated earnings of about $850 to the Broncos, said Heidi Overguard, instructor.
