By Chris Brown

Every dollar counts

HALO Challenge is taking flight

May 22, 2020 | 3:25 PM

Southern Albertans seem determined to step in and do what the provincial government won’t — keep HALO flying and saving lives.

On May 14 the air ambulance service announced it is weeks away from being grounded due to funding and fundraising drying up during the COVID-19 pandemic. HALO is asking the province for $250,000 per month over the next six months to stay open.

Troy Aberle, a HALO supporter and advocate and former board member, started his HALO Challenge last weekend.

“I felt this was a really good way of bringing people’s emotions together and having something to look forward to working together on and as a unified front demanding the government step up and keep this service that’s so desperately needed.”

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Aberle is challenging everyone to donate $20 for each family member and is sure donations have already topped $10,000. People have flown to Aberle’s challenge, and have started their own fundraising initiatives.

Riders for HALO has long been a big supporter of the air ambulance and is currently selling raffle tickets to raise money. The grand prize is a 2020 Harley Davidson Street Glide and the second prize is two tickets anywhere WestJet flies.

May 29 will be Free Fry Day for in support of HALO. Nearly 7,500 bags of french fries will be given away at Western Tractor dealerships in Medicine Hat, Burdett, Taber and Lethbridge. Each vehicle will get two six point five pound bags of frozen french fries through contactless curbside pickup. All they ask for in return is you make a donation online. McCain Food and J.E.B. Transport are partners with Western Transport in the initiative.

Aberle also mentioned 4H groups, and the Lions, Rotary and Kinsmen clubs in southern Alberta have stepped up.

“And I know I’m leaving people out but there’s so many groups within groups that have really put HALO at the forefront because it so important,” he said.

Aberle said he’s happy to see the community come together for HALO.

“The reason my children were part of the original video that started it was I think it’s important for us to teach our families right now how important it is to become a community again and how to teach, how to contribute so that you get a lot more results out of the people who live right beside you.”

He adds he’s not sure people understand just how dire HALO’s need for funding is

“It would be completely epidemic if our government didn’t step up and say ‘we see the need.’”