Richmond mourns Humboldt tragedy

Canadians from coast to coast have been united over the Humboldt tragedy this week and, in Richmond, residents are joining together to show their support.

After 15 were left dead and 14 injured when a tractor-trailer collided with the Humboldt Bronco junior hockey team’s bus on April 6, the country has been in mourning. A GoFundMe campaign has launched to raise financial support for families impacted and, on Thursday, April 12, Canadians are planning to wear jerseys to show their support and love for the Humboldt community.

April 12th is jersey day. Please share. #jerseysforhumboldt  #RichmondBC pic.twitter.com/kIrbuKQuLJ

— Richmond Ravens (@rmdravens) April 9, 2018

Others in Richmond have left a hockey stick outside their front door to honour the Broncos.

 

Still struggling (as with most of the extended #HockeyFamily) to cope w/ what happened on Friday evening in #Saskatchewan . Why did this have to happen? Why? It hits SO close to home for so many of us. Gutted... #sticksoutforhumboldt #humboldtbroncos #humboldt #broncos #sjhl #humboldtstrong #humboltbroncos #humboltstrong #tisdale #nipawin #prayforhumboldt #prayersforhumboldt #prayforhumbolt #prayersforhumbolt

A post shared by Cyclone Taylor Sports (@cyclonetaylor) on Apr 9, 2018 at 5:13pm PDT

One Richmond mother, Debbie Lee Jiang has launched a fundraising effort with her son Graham, 7. Together, they're painting rocks with the Broncos' colours. All proceeds from sales are being matched by Scotiabank Oakridge.

 

Today, the branch Manager at our Scotiabank loved our Humboldt Rock Project and will not only let the rocks be sold at the bank, he will also match the final amount donated! So if you want a rock, go to Oakridge! If you are too far you can sponsor a rock by donation by emailing me: DRJHumboldtRocks@gmail.com I will paint your hometown on the rock and send all sponsored rocks to Humboldt to be placed into a future memorial garden (I’m going to suggest)! Thanks for your support and please share! #HumboldtRocks Here are the latest designs:

A post shared by Debbie Jiang (@instagrdeb) on Apr 10, 2018 at 8:20am PDT

"After watching the vigil on Sunday night, which had my whole family in tears, I resolved to do something positive, to contribute something to the healing of the Humboldt Community. Being a hockey family, Humboldt is our family too," Jiang told the Richmond News via email.

"I was about to launch a new rock painting initiative and had already bought a bag or rocks, paint markers ready to go. Then the bus accident happened. So instead, Humboldt Rocks birthed. Graham loved the idea and has helped paint them too. He feels akin to the cause as a fellow hockey player and his nature is just a natural encourager and kind soul."

Richmond's O'Hare's Gastropub is also participating in the jersey day solidarity by donating $10 of every burger sold on Thursday to the Broncos families. 

The nation-wide GoFundMe campaign has currently raised over $7 million for the families affected. For information on how you can donate, visit the fundraiser’s campaign page and don’t forget to wear a jersey on Thursday to show your support.

Thoughts and prayers are with the Humboldt Broncos

— Richmond Sockeyes (@R_Sockeyes) April 7, 2018