Friday Night Lights project gets more funding

Today’s donation saw not only Max’s friends, but the province of Saskatchewan donating approximately $110,000 to the campaign in honor of Max.

The project is expected to cost around $650,000.

Max’s longtime friend, Lucas McConechy, a Grade 10 student at Carlton Comprehensive High School, made their donation on behalf of all of Max’s friends.

The group of students raised just over $60,000 for the campaign.

“It was a tribute to how many lives he had touched in his short time with us. We were overwhelmed by how many people were moved, in the memory of Max’s spirit, to help get started on his Friday Night Lights project,” said McConechy in a release.

Randy Emmerson, a member of the Friday Night Lights committee, said he got involved with the project for three reasons.

Emmerson said hearing about a young member of the community having a vision of improving the community of Prince Albert was number one.

Number two was because sports play a major role in Emmerson’s life. Prince Albert has great recreational facilities, and this campaign is one way to improve those facilities, he said.

Lastly, Emmerson graduated with Max’s parents and played high school football with Max’s dad Rusty. He said the fact Max’s parents asked that, instead of tributes at Max’s funeral, people make donations to the campaign.

To Emmerson, that showed a great level of passion for the project and felt he could contribute to the family reaching Max’s goal.

“Community support, so far, has been outstanding. We’ve been able to talk to many folks, and shortly after Max’s unfortunate tragedy there were many people in the community that said, ‘hey you know, when I can help just let me know, what is it that I can do?’” said Emmerson.

“We haven’t really been sure what we could do, but now that we’ve gotten closer to June and we need to reach our financial goal, as we’ve talked to folks, people are really positive, people really wanting to contribute and make this a success, and make this legacy for makes come to fruition.”

Prince Albert MLA Darryl Hickie was on hand to make the donation of $50,000 to the campaign.

“It’s one of those kinds of initiatives that the government sees as a no-brainer. Across government we get all kinds of requests from communities, and this particular program, through Culture, Parks and Sport, is one where they can apply for a grant of up to $50,000, and we’ve given almost $6 million since 2010, so it’s a great initiative for communities across the province,” said Hickie.

“[The donation] shows the youth that’s involved that there are other avenues for fundraising, that the government is a part of this, we wanted to help out. It’s just a feel-good program and a feel-good cause,” Hickie said.

Mayor Jim Scarrow was also on hand to express on behalf of the city, thanks to all those who have helped with the project.

“It was his wish to see bright lights shining down on the football field and, with your efforts here today, we will honor a truly remarkable young man,” Scarrow said in a release.

As of right now they are hoping to have the lights up by the end of August.

The next big fundraising event will be held by Rawlco Radio on June 19.

Rawlco will be putting on a radio marathon on June 19 from the Art Hauser Centre all day, to help raise money for the campaign.

Click here for more on that story.

For those who knew Max, it's clear why this is a legacy. He was a 15 year old student who stood above his peers in more than one way and it’s important to recognize that, Emmerson said.

Max’s friends will be selling “Max Power” t-shirts for $20, on Monday and Thursday next week in honor of Max, with all the proceeds going to the campaign.

For more information on shirts you can call St. Mary High School or Carlton Comprehensive High School.

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by Sarah Wallace

Friday Night Lights project gets more funding

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