Innisfail friends of the lone survivor of a car crash near Canmore last month have banded together to stage a fundraiser to help out the mother of two.
Angela Brownson said an Innisfail Eagles Alumni hockey game will take place on Feb. 18 at the Innisfail Arena to raise money for Jaimie Waugh, who grew up in Innisfail, and her two sons, aged 11 and two. The evening of events includes a Shoot To Win competition for a vehicle from Fourlane Ford.
Waugh was the only one to survive when the SUV she was riding in went down a steep embankment and plunged into an icy reservoir southwest of Canmore on Dec. 30. Waugh’s common-law husband James Roderick “Roddy” Allan, her brother Darrin John Waugh and his wife, Jennifer Margaret Waugh, did not survive the accident, despite the efforts of passersby to rescue them.
Brownson said she was at a hockey game with a close friend of Jaimie’s recently when they came up with the idea of a hockey-themed fundraiser.
Darrin was a former player for the Senior Innisfail Eagles team and the siblings’ father John coached the team at one point.
Jaimie was raised and went to school in Innisfail. She moved to Cochrane last October after living in Ontario for a number of years. She still has many ties to the area, including her parents who still live there.
The tragedy was keenly felt among those who know the family.
“I think it’s touched a lot of us,” said Brownson. “It’s unimaginable really to understand what she’s going through.
“We wanted to do something to show that we care and want to support her and help her in the times to come.”
Brownson said organizers hope to raise $10,000 to $12,000, and maybe more. All proceeds are going to Jaimie and her sons Rylen and Oliver.
The Feb. 18 event kicks off at 8 p.m. at the Innisfail Arena with a minor hockey skills competition. The Eagles alumni will take to the ice at 9 p.m.
A beer gardens opens at 7 p.m. and a silent auction, 50/50 draw and other raffles will take place throughout the evening. Admission costs $20 for a family, $10 for individual, and $5 for students. Children 12 and under are free.
With admission, participants are entered into a draw for the Shoot to Win.
Donations can be dropped off at Innisfail’s Bare Bones Clothing, at 5007 50th St., or call Angela at 403-227-5738 or (403) 597-3777. A Facebook page has also been set up under The Waugh/Allan Eagles Alumni Charity Game.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com