The news this past weekend was too much to bear. A bus carrying a Junior A hockey team from Saskatchewan, the Humboldt Broncos, was travelling to a playoff game when they were hit by a transport truck. As of this writing, 15 people on the bus have lost their lives and many others are injured, some critically. The dead include  coaches, media, their volunteer team statistician and many young men living their hockey dreams by playing and competing in a game they love. This Humboldt tragedy has rocked our entire country.

In Canada our hockey roots are deeply embedded in our culture and identity. In communities all across this country, people fill the rinks week after week cheering on their favourite teams. Many of these teams, put players on busses to travel many miles to games. No one ever expects something like this to happen. It’s unimaginable.

We are a hockey family. My son has played hockey since he was 5 and still plays competitively with a local Junior team.  We’ve watched him get on many busses, we’ve billeted hockey players here through the years, and we spend our weekends in rinks. Hockey has been a huge part of our families lives. The news of the passing of these Humboldt Broncos players…many the same age as our son…has hit really close to home.

As the reality of the news sunk in over the past few days, many people are wondering what they can do. We all want to help…but feel helpless. Our country is large and vast, but during a tragedy like this, it feels like a community. There are a few things you can do after the Humboldt tragedy to support those players and families and your own community.

Donate to the Go-Fund Me Campaign for the Humboldt Broncos

Shortly after the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was set up for the players and those affected. It has already reached over $6 000 000 and continues to climb. It is the largest Canadian GoFundMe campaign in history. There were 29 people on the bus, all of them will need support, some long-term. Every bit helps.

Sign your Organ Donor Card

Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet, 21, had recently signed an organ donation card. After his tragic death in the bus crash this weekend, 6 of his organs were donated, thus giving hope and life to other families. It is a tremendous gift, during such a difficult time that has the ability to save others lives. Signing your organ donor card is a simple yet powerful act. Check the included link that outlines how to become an organ and tissue donor in Nova Scotia. Be inspired by Logan Boulet and give the gift of life.

How to be a Donor | Legacy of Life

Donate blood

Blood donations are needed at all times, and following a car accident is one of those. Blood and blood products are a critical part of medical care including major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing disease. You can even create an online personal account  that can save you time. You can manage your appointments, get reminders and notifications from your favourite clinic. It couldn’t be easier to help save someone’s life.

The next scheduled clinic in Bridgewater is coming up on April 25th at NSCC Lunenburg Campus.

Become a Billet Family

Players all across our country leave home, sometimes at really young ages, to chase their hockey dreams. Billet families become their home away from home. They provide a family and home environment for these players and often the bonds from billeting last a lifetime. There is always a need for billet families. Here locally, our South Shore Mustangs, South Shore Lumberjacks and the Liverpool Privateers all billet players at different times throughout the year. By becoming a billet family you are supporting these athletes and their families, in the best way possible.

Lumberjacks Looking for Billet Families – South Shore Lumberjacks Junior 'A' Hockey Club

Sign the condolence book

The Town of Bridgewater has set up condolence books at Town Hall and also at the LCLC to show their support from one Junior hockey community to another. These books are available for people to sign over the next 2 weeks and they will then be sent to the community of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. You can’t underestimate the impact of gestures like this from all across the country as they come to terms with this tragedy over the coming weeks and months.

Bridgewater Sending Condolences To Humboldt | CKBW 98.1 94.5 93.1 Fm

Support your local teams

Each week in every community, there are kids and young people of all ages lacing up skates, putting on cleats, helmets and uniforms and heading out to games and competitions. Imagine the support a team feels when the stands are full or people are there cheering and encouraging them on. From individual clubs, to high school teams, to competitive leagues, there is someone to cheer on each week. Support these players…support these teams. Buy the tickets…go to the games…sponsor a player…send them a message of good luck and support…it all helps build them up…and our community.

Put your stick out

A simple tweet has begun a movement of people across the country leaving their hockey sticks outside on the porch…just in case…”the boys might need it” (I can’t even type this without tearing up) It’s a moving tribute by many hockey families and others who have been touched by this tragedy and want to show their support for these players and the Humboldt Broncos. So if you have a hockey stick…put it out…just in case the boys might need it.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during a tragedy like this and begin to ask why. There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to show your support. Talk to your kids about how they are feeling…especially your hockey players. If you are unsure about what to do in uncertain times, consider taking action in some way. There are simple and meaningful ways locally, we can show our support and  recognition to everyone who lost their lives, from the Humboldt Broncos, to the survivors and their community. The smallest gestures can sometimes leave the biggest impact. Do it for Humboldt…they need us all.