MEDICINE HAT, AB — 10 year old Dexter Druar was described as a curious brave spirit who would never back down from a challenge.
His favourite pastimes including singing with his dad, playing pranks on his siblings and playing hockey.
Dexter was a Grade 5 student and captain of the Redcliff Atom Blue Grizzly hockey team.
He passed away suddenly last Friday night, leaving a gaping hole in the community.
“There’s not a coach or a hockey parent within visibility of this loss,” says Bruce Johnson, president of Redcliff Minor Hockey. “That doesn’t feel the gut wrench of what we’re going through.”
Despite the difficult last few days, Redcliff and Medicine Hat residents have rallied together to provide some support for his family.
The Redcliff Minor Hockey Association kicked things off with a bottle drive, with all proceeds covering funeral costs and other expenses for the family.
“Medicine Hat and Redcliff they’ve just been,” says Mike Boisvert, manager at Redcliff Bottle Depot. “They’ve been amazing, that’s all I can tell you.”
The donations filled up almost four garages, and are estimated at more than $3,000.
“Whatever this bottle depot can do, we will do,” says Boisvert “If it’s working late nights, working weekends whatever the case may be, we need to get it done.”
Local businesses like Redcliff family foods, HIGH fitness, and Trukkers have pitched in by hosting fundraisers of their own.
Even an opposing hockey team wanted to help. The Brooks Junior Bandits are donating all of their 50/50 proceeds from their tournament this weekend.
“Association rivalries, league standing, geography,” says Johnson. “They just disappear.”
The Medicine Hat Bantam CAHL Hounds are also hosting a tournament this weekend, giving Ashley Christianson the opportunity to fundraise even more for Dexter’s family.
She’s been selling raffle tickets giving people the chance to win a team signed Edmonton Oilers jersey, an item from the Calgary Flames, items from the NHLPA and four tickets to anywhere WestJet Flies.
Desert Oilfield services pitched in to donate two of the four WestJet tickets. For information on purchasing tickets, contact achristianson@canaltacentre.com.
“The response has been immense and tremendous and it’s been amazing to see everyone just jump on board,” says Ashley Christianson, the box office manager at the Canalta Centre. “I really hope the family feels that they have all of Southern Alberta behind them.”
Canalta has also stepped up to provide their venue for Dexter’s funeral service at no charge to the family.
“This facility is for and about community and we were so honoured to be able to offer the family the use of Canalta centre for Dexter’s Memorial,” says Lorelle Halderman, marketing & sales manager at the Canalta Centre. “It’s serving as a place as well for friends and family to support each other in tribute to this fantastic little boy.”
Dexter’s family says he had a lust for life and that he wanted to try it all. He has a large family full of cousins, brothers, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Facebook posts continue pouring in, showing support to the family that lost their little boy far too soon.
Although the community support could never ease the pain of losing Dexter, it shows that there’s hundreds of people willing to offer a hand when tragedy hits.
“I could never imagine,” says Christianson “It’s a family’s worst nightmare so any little bit I can do, I’m happy to help.”
For any donations to the family, email or e-transfer rrdreger@telus.net.
