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Habitat for Humanity challenges residents to climb WLD

Habitiat

Habitat for Humanity Drumheller and District are taking it one step at a time as they march towards their fundraising goal, and to the top of the World’s Largest Dinosaur.
    The organization has launched a fundraising effort, challenging residents to show their support by pledging $20, hiking to the top of the World Largest Dinosaur and sharing it on social media. They are hoping to raise $10,000 with the effort.
    “The challenge started on July 1,” said Chris Curtis, chair of the Drumheller and District Habitat for Humanity. “You pay $20 to go up the dinosaur and at the top there is a sign that says ‘I Climbed the World’s Largest Dinosaur for Habitat for Humanity.’”
    “We want people to take a picture and challenge others to do it.”
    He explains the $20, minus the admission to the World’s Largest Dinosaur, goes towards the group’s local project.
    “The $20 will be matched by Sugar Bird, a local foundation, up to $5,000,” explains Curtis.
    The challenge runs for 60 days. By the end of July 1, they had raised $400.
      Habitat for Humanity Drumheller has a lofty goal of raising $250,000. A large portion of that is the donation of land in North Drumheller where the will be building a duplex. They have also received substantial donations from Chinook Credit Union and the Rotary Club.
    The project is slated for  completion in 2018, but Curtis is feeling confident the may be able to break ground sooner.
    The have more fundraising endeavours planned including pop-up dinner later this year.
    “We want the community to get involved. Drumheller has been a community that has been very giving in general. When you hear of someone being hurt or when something bad happens, the community rallies around. There is that spirit in Drumheller.”
    To learn more, to donate or to volunteer go to Habitat for Humanity Drumheller and District’s Facebook page or www.habitatsouthernab.ca/habitat-chapters/drumheller/


Family mourns loss of aviation hero

bob morgan

A local family is mourning the loss of a father, grandfather, and aviation hero after Robert “Bob” Morgan passed away earlier this month.

Retired Flight Lieutenant Robert Morgan, 85, passed away on June 11, and along with being remembered as a caring and giving individual, Robert Morgan was also the recipient of the George Medal for bravery from the Royal Canadian Air Force when he pulled an injured pilot from a burning airplane when it crashed on a runway in France in 1955.

“He was everybody’s friend, he was generous to a fault, and he went out of his way to help people,” said his son Lloyd Morgan, owner of Newcastle Towing.

Bob Morgan had been awarded the George Medal in 1957 and became an aviation hero for ignoring his own safety and rescued an unconscious pilot from a burning aircraft amid exploding ammunition. 

The event took place on July 21, 1955 at a runway in Marville, France. Morgan, who was working in the landing shack that day when he saw a fellow pilot land short on the runway and his jet burst into flames. Morgan dashed to the jet and tried to get the unconscious pilot out but the canopy was jammed. He then grabbed a rock to break open the canopy. By the time firecrews arrived on scene, someone passed Morgan an axe in which he broke open the canopy and dragged the pilot to safety.

Speaking at an event in late 2015, Morgan told reporters, “He crashed and I ran to the airplane, and after that it’s just a blur… I think anybody would have done it. You don’t think. It’s just automatic. And when it’s all over you can’t remember,” reported 630 CHED in an article from June 12, 2016.

“It wasn’t a big deal to him,” said Bob’s daughter-in-law Shelley Morgan. “In the thick of it and with the adrenaline going you just do what needs to be done.”

“Those who served in the military are a different breed, and have discipline and love and caring for others,” said Shelley. “He was definitely a role model.”

The George Medal is primarily a civilian award, but it may be awarded to military personnel for gallant conduct that is not in the face of the enemy. Only 77 Canadians have been presented with the medal since 1940.

Morgan spent 36 years in the air force, serving in Canada, England, France, and Germany, flying a variety of aircraft including P51 Mustangs, F86 Sabres, Harvards, CF 104’s, C130 Hercules’, and Twin Otters. He was named Airman of the Year in 1986. 

After leaving the airforce, Morgan became a duty manager at the Edmonton Municipal Airport until 1994, and at that time was still flying with the reserves in the Air Force. 

In 2010, the City of Edmonton named a street in the community of Griesbach in his honour, along with eight other Edmontonian veterans.

Bob Morgan was an extremely active volunteer in St. Albert, where he resided, as well as an active member of many air force associations as well as a long-time volunteer with the St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre and the St. Albert Special Olympics, serving as a bowling coach for about 25 years.

Peace torch runs through Drumheller

PeaceRunPeaceRunMayorJuliaBEST

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run braved the weather and passed through Drumheller on Monday, July 4.  

The Peace Run’s mission is to promote international friendship and understanding.  The runners do not seek to raise funds or highlight certain political causes. They simply strive to create goodwill among all nations. 

The Peace Run was originally started in 1987 as The World Harmony Run by Sri Chinmoy.

Chinmoy, who was an athlete, philosopher, artist, and poet, believed in advancing the ideals of world friendship and oneness. He founded the run to spread awareness of those values. 

This leg of the tour passed through Drumheller, where a celebration was held at the Cenotaph.

The children of the summer program  were  present and participated in song and games. Mayor Terry Yemen was contacted by the group and attended the ceremony.  “

 The Peace Run requested a tree be planted to mark this visit. The town granted this wish with a tree and a plaque placed near the Badlands Community Center.


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