The support for Humboldt has come from many different places.
For the Bella Vista Inn and Johnny’s Bistro, support has come from their suppliers by way of food and utensils for local funeral luncheons.
That has also meant a lot of excess but that also has gone back to the community by way of a free pizza party on May 3.
There was also some special guests taking part in the party with Canadian comedians Bryan Cox, Eric Payne, and Daryl Makk bringing comedy to Humboldt with the Comedy for Quality of Life Tour.
The tour focuses on events where they can raise money for charity organizations or help with trauma that happens in the community.
Makk says he was impacted by the news of the Broncos crash, both as an ex-truck driver and as someone who spends a lot of time on the road touring.
They were coming through Saskatchewan already on their tour so it was an easy decision to make a stop and offer some relief to Humboldt.
“Comedy helps breakdown those barriers and laugh at what we can’t control.”
Makk sees how Saskatchewan people laugh at themselves as well as how connected we are for having such a spread out population. There are plenty of Saskatchewan stops on the Quality of Life Tour, which surprises Makk for this reason but he can always expect a good time.
“(Saskatchewan people) are always there to laugh. Saskatchewan people are a lot like the Maritimers, they’re like drunken sailors without a boat, they’ve got a combine instead. They have fun, they’re just good people.”
Comedy has helped Payne get through his own trauma, both as part of the Canadian military and after an motor vehicle accident that took his left leg.
For Payne, touring as part of a comedy group that puts on charity shows, this offers the community a moment of relief away from the fear and pain.
“It was a big part of my recovery from my physical injuries and I use it in my day to day...(coming to Humboldt), we wanted to be able to share the gifts that we have.”
Payne has also been managing the sledge hockey program in Prince Edward Island and has been a part of the Canadian military’s Soldier On program since his accident in 2009.
For both programs, it is not just about the sports and activity, says Payne, but the willingness to keep driving forward. Just because he suddenly had a disability did not mean it was the end, he says.
“Just because I have a disability doesn’t mean the passion’s gone. It doesn’t mean I feel disabled.”
Ryan Straschnitzki’s comments about becoming a paralympian after finding out about his paralysis gives Payne hope for his recovery.
“He’s got a target, he’s got a goal, he doesn’t sound bewildered or lost.”
