Over 100 people gathered at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLFSC) last evening (April 15) to remember those who have passed, are still recovering and the First Responders who attended to the Humboldt bus crash on April 6.

The event was spearheaded late last week by Kyla Gibson, a local hockey mom, as a way to show Humboldt that we are thinking of them. Gibson was happy to offer the opportunity to those that showed.

While she thought more people would have come out, she was still happy she took the initiative. "I thought there would be more people just because Cochrane is such a close-knit community but I know there is spring baseball starting, spring hockey and lots of people are just really busy this time of year so maybe that is why we didn't have as big of a turnout. It could have also been that it was thrown together so last minute."

Gibson would have possibly waited until this upcoming weekend to hold the vigil but not only is she out of town the impact becomes lessened the more days that pass. "I think the longer the time frame after, the less impact; it's sad but when people pass away it becomes news after that."

Offering closure to those that needed it, was definitely felt. "There were lots of people that came up to me and said Cochrane needed to do that and thank you for giving us the platform to just remember all those that were lost."

Cathy Reid, a Cochrane resident and hockey mom was definitely appreciative as she has ties to both communities and says Humboldt is in a dark state right now. "The community is hurting and many of them are struggling to find words to even describe what they're feeling...grief, surreal, shock is a lot of things I am hearing and just pain."

Reid used to reside in Humboldt and says the small gestures seen from communities like Cochrane are helping a heartbroken Humboldt. "It's a strong farming and hockey community but if anybody is going to get through this together it will be them. I don't think anyone realizes how much healing they are providing for everyone else. The support makes you realize you are not alone; you are grieving together, you're staying strong together and there are no words to say from my Humboldt heart, how much these words are appreciated by everybody."

A large banner (thanks to Reid's husband) was created for Cochranites to sign, offer support and give well wishes.

The banner will remain hanging in the lobby area between Totem 2 and 3 for the remainder of this week before it is rolled up and hand delivered by Reid's brother in law who is a Humboldt Bronco alumni. "He is going out to Humboldt in about two weeks and sitting down with the former alumni presidents and Bronco association that were around in his day and they are going to deliver it to the association for us."

Reid says she wants the community of Humboldt to know that Cochrane has a big heart, summing it up perfectly "for a team that went out to win a game that night...they ended up uniting the world."