By Nigel Maxwell

Prince Albert rallies behind Broncos

Apr 11, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The bus crash north of Tisdale that killed 16 people and injured 13 has impacted lives across the province. Community groups in Prince Albert and the area have responded by helping to raise money for the Broncos hockey team and families of the deceased players.

Children’s Choice Development, which has five daycare facilities in Prince Albert, has been selling home-made muffins to benefit the victims and their families. They are also auctioning off artwork done by the children. Executive Director Gail Szautner said the children have all been touched by the tragedy through their parents and what they have heard in the community.

“Josh is four-and-a-half years old and said ‘my mom would be so sad if I died,’ and another child said ‘that’s sad they all loved hockey; maybe they can play in heaven,’” Szautner said.

Szautner said the young children have a tremendous amount of empathy and can see how sad the community is. She said they’ve had a tremendous amount of support for their fundraising efforts.

“We are charging ten dollars for a dozen muffins. A family came in yesterday and gave staff $50 and took a dozen muffins,” she said.

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Meanwhile, other groups around the city have started their own support efforts.

Rona at Cornerstone has been taking donations as well. Anyone who makes a donation is given a hockey puck, onto which they can write a personal message of support. The pucks, donated by Source for Sports and Sport Chek, will be delivered to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.

All Tim Horton’s stores across Canada have been selling specially made Broncos donuts, with proceeds going directly to a fund for the team. Prince Albert store owner Ed Zaparaniuk said Thursday will be jersey day, when staff will wear jerseys featuring the Tim Horton’s logo on the front and Broncos’ on the back. 

A special memorial has been set up at Taco Time on Second Ave. W. in Prince Albert. Owner Ron Miller, who has two young grandsons who play sports and regularly travel on buses, was responsible for setting it up.

“I don’t know any of the parents or players,” he said. “I just felt I had to do something and a memorial just came in my mind.”

Miller said anyone is welcome to bring flowers to add to the display.

Prince Albert’s Dairy Queen will also be making a donation to the Broncos, giving the team all proceeds from Blizzard sales on Friday. 

This coming Sunday W.P. Sandin High School at Shellbrook is holding a street hockey tournament and barbecue. Teacher and organizer Nicole Phillip said the tragedy affected the students.   

“We had kids come back to school Monday morning, both in tears and really wanting to do something,” she said. “Shellbrook is known as a hockey town … and I think that has struck a chord with a lot of our kids who are used to riding buses.”

The tournament is for ages five and up, Phillip said, and anyone interested in participating can contact the school. Phillip said they are hoping to have three different tournaments running simultaneously.

Local gyms in Prince Albert have also raised money through special team workouts last weekend. Pure Athletics raised $675 and SaskPro Crossfit raised $753.

Markit Signs in Prince Albert has designed special decals and bumper stickers, which are available for a donation at the store or at the office of Member of Parliament Randy Hoback. Upwards of 1,000 bumper stickers have been made so far.

A special tribute event will be held 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Dave Steuart Arena. Those who attend will pay tribute by singing Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young,” and attendees were encouraged to wear their hockey jerseys and bring their hockey sticks.

Anyone wishing to pass on messages of condolences to either the community of Humboldt or the families of the victims can add a message to books being compiled at River Park, Gray’s, Mackenzie, and Beau Lac funeral homes in Prince Albert, as well as the Beau Lac funeral homes in Shellbrook and Spiritwood. The books will be sent to Humboldt next week.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 1:12 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 to correct an error. A previous version of this piece identified Ron Miller as the former owner of Taco Time. He is the current owner. 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell