Community
GoFundMe campaign for Red Deer FireMedic facing long road to recovery
From GoFundMe campaign for “Big Ben”
On October 1, Ben a 42 year old firemedic from Red Deer was faced with an unexpected event. In a split moment, Big Ben (aka friendly giant as some of you may know him) needed the help of specialized surgeons. Due to the swift response of the firemedic dept, he was taken out of city to have emergency surgery. The surgery was successful, however he did sustain a stroke post op. Ben has a long road of recovery ahead with the potential for lifelong changes.
Currently Benny is out of cardiac intensive care and remains in hospital. His family, children (3), grandchildren (2), colleagues and close friends have been supporting him from near and far. He is recovering well but all of this will take time.
Ben has a large network of people who extend far and wide from childhood friends, clientele from the good ol’ ‘Mort’s’ days, his involvement with charities and schools that have been close to his heart, his team on the fire departments, fashion show peeps (yes he actually has graced the runway for many many charitable causes) and the list goes on.
If you have met Ben, you will have had that intimate knowing that he is ‘that guy’ who IS “hard to forget” not only because of his sheer size (6’5) but because he has that genuine and calming nurturing ability to touch our lives in so many ways.
Since his hospitalization, many people have reached out asking “how can I help?”, “what can I do?”. Well this page will be one of the ways you can help Big Benny.
We do not know the amount of his future expenses. At this moment, we are cherishing his daily progress and flowing one day at a time. With saying that however, we know that unexpected costs will arise.
Ben has a strong work ethic. He worked extra shifts, working at a second job to support himself, the lives and future of his children. Because of this change in life circumstance, he will not be able to leverage on these extra sources of income.
We are hoping to have a fund set aside to alleviate his burden. Should down the road if the funds aren’t required and as Ben would have it, he can choose to donate the extra money to a charity dear to his heart.
3rd Annual Operation Tea Cup
Red Deer, AB – The Calgary Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is proud to announce the third annual Operation Tea Cup
WHAT:
For one day only, the Grey Cup is coming to Red Deer!
Delivered by military vehicles and escorted by members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Grey Cup will be arriving at the Cormack Armoury and presented to Her Honour, the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell.
The Grey Cup is one of three cups donated by Lord Earl Grey to various sports organizations in recognition of athletic excellence. A second of these cups resides right here in Red Deer! Learn about the rich military history of these cups and be a part of history as these two cups are reunited by Her Honour, the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell.
In collaboration with our outstanding community partners, this multi-event day including a grey cup tour and private party raises awareness for our Canadian Forces and their deep-rooted connection to the Grey Cup. All proceeds are donated to our local Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to support military families throughout Central Alberta.
WHERE:
Cormack Armoury
4402 55 Street – Red Deer
WHEN:
Cup Presentations to Her Honour followed by Media: 3:15 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2019
About the Calgary MFRC
The Calgary MFRC supports families of our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members within our service area of Southern Alberta, including Red Deer and Lethbridge. Our CAF soldiers, veterans and their family members face unique challenges that make being in the military an occupation different from any other. At the MFRC we aim to help lessen the impact of these unique challenges, which includes frequent separations, extended deployments and risks. The MFRC is a registered charity run by a volunteer board of directors that was started in 1991 by the Department of National Defense in conjunction with the Military Family Support Program. To learn more, visit calgarymfrc.ca.
About the Red Deer Office
The MFRC works to empower and support our military families. We offer a variety of programs and services including mental health supports, social activities, workshops and training, family separation and reunification support, deployment support, children and youth programs, and referral services to help. Our families are the strength behind the uniform, and we’re here for them.
The Calgary MFRC has satellite offices in both Red Deer and Lethbridge. Each office caters to the specific needs of the forces in their areas. The Red Deer Branch is based at the Cormack Armory and serves a large part of Central Alberta.
Central Alberta is home to over 60 military families. The Canadian Forces in Red Deer consist of the Primary Reserve 78th Field Battery, which is part of the 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the 2 Squadron, 41 Signal Regiment Reserve Force communications unit who provides communication information systems, strategic infrastructure services and support to 41 Canadian Brigade Group. Both units also operate out of Cormack Armory in Red Deer.
“It has been thrilling to watch Erin Boake mature as an artist,” says Lorna Johnson, Executive Director. “She has mastered her drawing and painting skills and she continues to challenge herself with creative new projects. Hot Mess shows that even the most mundane of household tasks can be fuel for a creative mind and a source of beauty. We are very pleased to present Erin’s work at the MAG.”
Erin Boake was born and raised in Red Deer, where she completed her first two years of visual arts at Red Deer College, before transferring to Alberta College of Art & Design. She graduated with a degree in Painting in 2003. Erin spent many years traveling and living in various communities around Canada and abroad. Between 2008 and 2013, Erin had the opportunity to live and work in Iqaluit, Nunavut, teaching drawing and design at the Nunavut Arctic College. Erin has been teaching art for 17 years, and in the last year, has taken over the role of owner and operator of Artribute Art School, alongside her own studio practice. Erin currently lives in Red Deer with her husband and two small girls, and spends her time doing laundry when she’s not painting it.
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