On behalf of Audrey Goertzen and her children – Brooke, Gabi, Taylor, Noah, and Regan – I wish to convey a huge thank you to the many, many exceptional citizens of Airdrie who have stepped up for them following the tragic death of their husband and father, Cory, in early January. The overwhelming response of this community has indeed verified that although Airdrie may officially no longer be “that small town north of Calgary,” we have truly done ourselves proud by successfully demonstrating that we retain many of those commendable small-town attributes like caring and compassion.
As well, many of you have kindly and graciously contributed financial gifts to the trust fund set up for Cory and Audrey’s children at the Main Street branch of Bow Valley Credit Union. Symbolic of the outpouring of sympathy and goodwill to the Goertzens was the effort coordinated by Samreen Junaid of the Traditional Glimpse studio on Main Street. In cooperation with the community spirit contributed by local media organizations, a fundraiser held on Feb. 16 by Samreen raised $800 in cash along with $2,820 in gift certificates supplied by various wonderful people in the Airdrie business community. It would be impossible to adequately identify the numerous people who have been and continue to “be there” for Audrey and the kids during this challenging time of adjustment in their lives.
Former neighbours in Airdrie as well as current neighbours at the acreage, along with many people at other organizations deserve a special note of appreciation for their ongoing efforts.
It is an honour for me to not only be the Goertzens’ pastor but to also be a friend to each of them. As such, please accept this sincere thank you for your individual and collective kindnesses. God bless you for blessing us!
(P.S. Congratulations to Regan for scoring her very first goal in hockey last weekend, to Noah for his stellar work on the blueline this winter for the Atom Rednecks, to Taylor for that wicked log-cabin you built at school, to Brooke for her success at the track-meet and to Gabi for analyzing my bizarre sense of humour. Dad would be so proud of all of you!)
Tim Callaway is pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church.
