The loved ones of Mitch McLean, Tanner Craswell and Tabitha Stepple couldn’t be happier with sales from the memorial bracelets made in honour of the young lives lost in a roadside shooting back in December.
“I think the memorial funds, the purpose of them is more important than the cost of a wrist band,” says Kevin Kvame with the Prairie Baseball Academy.
Organizers have been selling memorial bands for the baseball players and Tabitha.
All of the proceeds are going to memorial scholarships to make sure their young lives are never forgotten.
A baseball scholarship in Mitch and Tanner’s names will be given out to a maritime ball player who wants to further their skills here in Alberta.
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For Tabitha, a dance scholarship, and a granite memorial bench by her graveside.
“I wanted something meaningful for her mom, dad and siblings to remember her and give them a place to reflect,” says Jackie Sernowski, a friend of Tabitha’s.
The sale of wrist bands has been overwhelming. People from across the country have requested them, from Lethbridge all the way to Prince Edward Island.
“Mitch and Tanner’s mom have asked for some and it means a lot and makes me proud they are wearing them,” Sernowski says.
So far, Kvame says they’ve have sold over 2500 bracelets for Mitch and Tanner alone, and 40 thousand dollars has been raised in honor of the two athletes, their expectations have been hit out of the park.
“The Toronto Blue Jays will be recognizing them at the home opener April 9th, another emotional tribute to Tanner and Mitch,” said Kvame.
Over 400 bracelets for Tabitha have been sold and a dance recital will be held this summer in her honour, with all the proceeds going towards the scholarship.
The support created by the simple little wrist bands is something loved ones can’t believe.
For Shayna Conway, the lone survivor, the bracelets are a way for her to keep her friends close to her heart and always on her mind.
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