David Wynn, Derek Bond fundraiser draws strong support in St. Albert
A silent auction to raise funds for the families of two RCMP officers shot in St. Albert last month has drawn large numbers of people wishing to honour Const. David Wynn and Aux. Const. Derek Bond.
“It’s just been overwhelming, in the most positive way,” said Chelsa Mills, who helped organize the event.
Wynn was killed after being shot in the head while investigating a suspicious licence plate attached to a truck outside the Apex Casino in St. Albert last month.
Both Wynn and Bond were shot after coming across the suspect on the way out of the building.
Bond suffered injuries to his arm and torso. Wynn was laid to rest in a regimental funeral that drew thousands of people.
Mills, whose father was an RCMP officer in rural Alberta, said she felt compelled to do something to support the officer’s families.
“I felt a connection to what happened,” she said.
When she started promoting the idea of a silent auction online, she said she was flooded with messages from people wishing to take part -- more than 400 hundred in just two days. Others donated prizes, including a flight in a fighter jet, trips to Cuba and Hawaii, and an autographed Wayne Gretzky jersey.
“There’s no way we could have anticipated this kind of reaction from the community,” Mills said.
“Canadians want to support their first-responders … we recognize the sacrifices they make.”
She said they expected between 1000 - 1500 people to take part in the fundraiser by the end of the night.
The proceeds of the auction, as well as other donations collected during the event, will go towards a trust fund set up by the RCMP Veterans' Association.
Gerald Plastow, the association's president, said the fundraiser and others like it have been a great comfort to other RCMP officers in St. Albert who are still dealing with the aftermath of the shootings.
“A lot of the members are grieving inside. They have a lot to get over,” he said.
“It makes the public aware of what the police do when people are sleeping.”
The support has also touched Wynn’s family. Emily Thompson, who is close friends with one of Wynn’s three sons, said that the community reaction has helped the boys deal with their father’s death.
“It’s really nice to know that everyone cares,” she said.
“He has the whole community behind. We’re all just trying to keep going.
Donations for the trust fund can also be made at CIBC branches across Canada.
