Apr. 22, 2021
April 22, 2021
Featuring Aaron Fleming
Western Financial Group, Account Executive, Medicine Hat
My family and I donated to Halo Air Ambulance for the second year in a row through the Western Communities Foundation. We are grateful that Western Financial Group was open to amending the Record Breakers gift catalog to allow those qualified to give back to a charity of their choice. As a family, we decided to match the amount gifted to us by Record Breakers, and with the contributions of the Western Communities Foundation, we presented a cheque to Halo for $4,500.
Last year, Southern Alberta was at risk of losing Halo Air Ambulance, as it is the only air ambulance that does not receive government funding in our province. It was great to see so many people step forward and keep them in the air. Our reason this year was different – never did we think that we would rely on their life-saving service.
December 30th was a typical day for our family over the Christmas holidays. Our middle daughter, Kennedy, was excited to head to the ski hill with friends, and it was her first time of the year skiing. At around 12:30 PM we got a phone call from her friend’s mom, who let us know she had hit a tree and was injured. Without giving a second thought, I jumped in my truck and rushed out to the ski hill, thinking that I would drive her back in for stitches, or something like that, and take her right back home. When I got there, I was shocked to learn the ambulance was on its way out, that I had beat it there, and that her injuries were worse than I thought. When the ambulance arrived on the scene, they assessed that it was more critical than they thought and radioed for Halo, who were on the scene within 11 minutes.
Kennedy was rushed to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, where we learned her injuries were life-threatening– this was a scary moment for us as parents to hear. My heart breaks for anyone that must hear that from a doctor.
Without Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, Elkwater Fire Department, Halo Air Ambulance, AHS, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Ronald McDonald House in Calgary, and the support of countless friends, co-workers, and family, I’m not sure we would have the happy ending we have. Kennedy has some lifetime limitations that she will have to deal with however, she is here – she is here because of many selfless individuals who our family will forever be grateful for!
I reached out to Paul Carolan of Halo the week of March 15th, asking if our family could come by to donate and thank those that took such good care of our sweet daughter. Not only did he allow that but brought the board together for the occasion. As a person who loves serving in our community, I can appreciate how much the thank you meant to Halo’s board who selflessly serve so others can continue to live. It was a great day for closure for Kennedy and our family to thank them.
Again, this donation would not have been possible without Western Financial Group and the Western Communities Foundation. Our family is forever grateful to our employer and the example of the way they give back – because we live here.
The picture above is of The Fleming family, Aaron, Verenice, Kenzie (19 – not shown as she was working), Kennedy (16), and Khloe (13)
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