Your news this week: Military Convoy -Page 2 Lamont High Awards - Page 8 Heartland Hotel Grand Opening Page 9 Read us online at www.lamontleader.com twitter.com/lamontleader
Vol. 8, 2, No. 46 Tuesday, October8,29, 2013 Vol. 7, No. Tuesday, November 2011
Family and friends rally to support seriously injured community member Michelle Pinon Editor
Everyone who knows Jarad Christoffersen loves him. The Chipman Hotel was packed wall to wall with more than 110 people who came to support the native of Chipman the evening of Oct. 25. Friends and family gathered to rally around the well loved 23-yearold man, who still remains in hospital following a serious motor vehicle accident just over a month ago. Even though Jarad remains in a coma, step father Morris Langevin says he is starting to show signs of improve-
ment. Langevin said Jarad has regained consciousness, feeling in his body, and can blink his eyes, and squeeze his hand. Every day Langevin and Jarad’s mom Shelly are at his bedside as well as many of his relatives and friends who have known him since childhood. Things are looking hopeful, and Jarad’s former playschool teacher Miss Moon is very optimistic he will make a full recovery. Feeling helpless is not a feeling Miss Moon is accustomed to or willing to accept, so she, along with good friend Jill, helped organize the fundraiser in his name.
Miss Moon said Jarad is the most polite and kindest person she has ever known, and couldn’t stop some tears from flowing while describing, what a positive impression this young lad has made in her life, and the lives of other people in the community and elsewhere. Deirdre Wheeler, was one of those people. She said the kids who went to school with Jarad made such a bond, a closeness and connectedness that has stuck with them all to this day. “They are so tight and so close, and Jarad’s such an anchor.” “It’s such a wonderful event for my friend,” said Deirdre, who painted a special picture in his honour just for the silent auction. “Kind, loyal, caring and real” were some of the words that came to mind when Wheeler was describing Jarad. Bruderheim resident Joe Culford described
Robb and Cindy Lindemann had this t-shirt of Jarad made so guests could autograph it and send along well wishes by friends and family members. Jarad as friendly and been written by Jarad’s son to buckle up and outgoing, and said he got mother Shelly who stat- wear their seatbelt when to know him as a patron ed she couldn’t have they are in a vehicle. of his mom Shelly and stayed strong without Shelly also believes Jarad her late husband’s the support of fellow will pull through this difgarage they owned and friends and family mem- ficult time, and thanked everyone for their love, operated in Bruderheim.. bers. Shelly is a firm believer support and donations Shawna Lynn Denning, who per- that everything happens for him. formed with her band, for a reason, even if it A preliminary estimate said she also had a spe- takes years to find out at press time revealed cial connection with the reason, and said she that approximately Jarad and the local com- didn’t want Jarad’s pain $5,000 had been raised. munity. Denning read a and suffering to be in letter aloud to the bois- vain, and made the plea terous crowd that had for each and every per-
MICHELLE PINON PHOTOS
Artist and friend Deirdre Wheeler stands beside her creation that was up for bid in the silent auction.
Shawna Lynn Denning and Friends entertain the crowd at the Chipman Holtel on Oct. 25.