Workers and students in the City of Calgary are standing in solidarity with the victims of the Humboldt Broncos and their families on Wednesday, wearing sports jerseys to show their support.
The #JerseyDay movement was sparked by a group of hockey moms from Langley, B.C. who wanted to show the families of the victims that they are thinking of them.
The campaign went viral, with dozens of organizations across Canada, the U.S. and even Europe encouraging people to take part in the event by wearing jerseys or dressing in gold and green, the colours of the Humboldt Broncos.
Jennifer Pinch was one of those who helped get the #JerseysforHumboldt movement going. Her 16-year-old son plays with the Langley Minor Hockey Association, and she told CTV Vancouver that all hockey families immediately felt the pain in Humboldt.
"It just hits so close to home. It's my son, it's his friends, it's the community,” she said. “…We have all been there. We are all them."
Students at Mount Royal University are taking part in the show of support and it hits close to one particular department at the institution.
The 16th victim of the crash, Dayna Brons, was an athletic therapist who trained at the school. A memorial, made up of a hockey bag, some photos and other items has been set up outside the faculty’s office.
Brons suffered a serious head injury in the crash and passed away on Wednesday.
Current students with the program say that Bron’s loss is difficult to take, especially because it hits so close to home for them.
“I know how close I am with my classmates so knowing that it could happen to anyone, it hits home, especially when I’ve taken countless bus rides with my team and I’ve arrived home safely,” said Christine Thomas, who just finished her practicum this past year.
Mina Fadol, one of the former practicum supervisors spent a year with Brons while she was enrolled at the school.
“She was placed with us to work with our men’s soccer team and some of our other court sports and I was her placement supervisor.”
Fadol says that she wasn’t able to find much news about Brons’ involvement with the incident until an e-mail was sent from the national association of athletic therapists.
“When our national association sent out an e-mail, mentioning that it was Dayna, there was a bit of shock and then we just prayed and hoped that she’d hang on.”
She says that Brons was an exceptional person to work with.
“She was keen to learn and so dependable and mature. She had a quieter personality but when she opened up, she was just so easygoing and she was a pleasure to be around.”
MRU’s memorial has become a meeting place for a number of people who felt touched by the tragic event and inspired by the #JerseyDay movement.
““I think it’s important to show solidarity with the whole tragedy. As a country, hockey is our pastime. It’s important for us to come together and support these really difficult times here,” said Dave Hiemstra, whose employer asked his organization to take part.
He says it’s amazing to see how firmly it has taken hold as well.
“It’s something that doesn’t surprise me. It’s more I’m glad to see it happen because we know that as a community, we always band together when something like this happens. It’s more of an affirmation of how great it is to be in this country.”
(With files from CTVNews.ca)