Council once again declares April 7 Green Shirt Day in Lethbridge

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on March 27, 2024.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Mayor Blaine Hyggen, sporting a Humboldt Broncos jersey, talks to reporters after council declared April 7 Green Shirt Day in Lethbridge.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

City council has once again proclaimed April 7 Green Shirt Day.

Council has declared the day ever since 2019 as a tribute to Logan Boulet who died April 7, 2018 the day after a horrific crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team in Saskatchewan that left 16 dead.

The day after Boulet succumbed to his injuries and his parents, Toby and Bernadine, offered to donate his organs since Logan had told his parents he was registering as a donor in honour of his late former coach and mentor Ric Suggett who saved six lives as a donor himself in 2017.

In the weeks following Boulet’s donation, more than 150,000 Canadians registered to become organ donors which is the largest number in Canada’s history due to one event or person.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen said outside council chambers on Tuesday that it’s important to bring the matter forward every year to spread awareness about the campaign that started after the collision and to highlight the importance of organ donation.

He noted it’s important for people who are able to sign an organ donation card.

Hyggen, noting it was tough to say, added that after such a tragic accident “it’s amazing the lives that were saved by this individual,” referring to Logan.

“Logan’s family has done an amazing job throughout Canada promoting this so hat’s off to them,” adding the family is reliving the tragedy on a daily basis.