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By Chris Brown

Lions Club of Medicine Hat honouring first responders who have ‘been through hell’

Nov 20, 2022 | 9:00 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Lions Club of Medicine Hat is reaching out to local businesses so they can honour and recognize first responders next weekend.

Club members are gathering donations of gift cards and so far have 150 to give away to the nearly 2,000 first responders in the community, who Lions member James Higgins says have had a tough couple of years.

“These {folks} have been through hell, some of them even left the profession because of the stress involved,” Higgins says. “So we just want to in a small way give back and say ‘thank you, we appreciate what you do.'”

Ballot boxes have been placed at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Medicine Hat Police Station and Medicine Hat Fire Stations in the city. First responders have been entering their names and Higgins says draws will be made on Saturday at the Medicine Hat Legion’s Ortona Room until all the cards are gone.

The gift card donations are all over the map, Higgins says, running the gamut from hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, oil changes, Cineplex and more.

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He says it’s been an easy sell when approaching businesses. “‘You walk in and you tell them what you’re doing and they say ‘oh I’m all over that.'”

If you want to donate call Higgins at 403-527-0140.

The draws will start at 2 p.m. on Nov. 26 and all first responders are welcome to attend.

Higgins says he’s also made a request to the City of Medicine Hat for a proclamation of First Responders Day and is awaiting a response.