A Lethbridge couple has been recognized for their community work.
Toby and Bernadine Boulet have each received King Charles III Coronation Medals.
The Boulet’s son Logan was one of the victims of the April 6, 2018 bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
As a result of the collision, 16 people were killed and 13 others were injured. Following his death, Toby and Bernadine’s son’s organ donation helped save six lives.
Afterwards, the nation saw a surge in organ donor sign-ups in what became known as the ‘Logan Boulet Effect’. Since then, the Boulet parents have been involved with many charitable causes and have helped lead the Green Shirt Day initiative, raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.
One of the groups the Boulets are involved with is the Kidney Foundation of Canada, which nominated the duo for their King Charles III Coronation Medals.
“It’s a wonderful honour to be recognized by the Kidney Foundation of Canada for the work that we’ve done and the work we continue to do to help many groups and help many, many people,” says Toby.
On Tuesday, during a ceremony at Lethbridge City Hall announcing this year’s Green Shirt Day, set for April 7, mayor Blaine Hyggen presented Toby and Bernadine with their medals.
Toby says he and his wife did not have to think twice when asked who they wanted to present them with their medals.
“Blaine has done so much for our family,” he says.
“[He was] one of the ones that got the Adams [Park Ice Centre] renamed to the Logan Boulet Arena. He decorates cookies [during the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign. He answers the call every time we call him.”
The mayor says most of us remember when we heard about the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, noting that when it happened, “it seemed like the world kind of came to an end”.
Hyggen says it has been admirable to see the dedication in the community work from both Toby and Bernadine, and their daughter Mariko.
“I can’t emphasize enough [about] the dedication and the passion that the Boulet family has had and so, any time they reach out, it’s just an absolute honour,” he says, adding how special it was to be asked to present the medals to the Boulet parents.
“They have done so much [to continue] that legacy of a life that left far too early, but in death, there has been some incredible life and that’s what’s important.”
Bernadine says the list of people who were nominated and received King Charles III Coronation Medals was incredible, and “We’re very humbled to be part of that list”.
“We don’t really think of us being in that same category as those people – they are making incredible differences, and we’re just really honoured to be a part of that. Thank you.”
