GoFundMe launched for Alberta family in need
Heather Cameron,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Vauxhall High School alumni Marie Wetherelt is currently in need of financial support.
“On June 30, 2024, a vehicle Marie was a passenger in was hit head-on by another vehicle along Highway 36,” said Dorthea Mills Horizon School Division No. 67 Communications/ Information Coordinator who is running a GoFundMe for Wetherelt. “Marie and her friend were both airlifted to Calgary. Her friend’s mom unfortunately didn’t make it. Altogether, there were 3 vehicles involved in the accident. I am unsure how the people from the other vehicles are, but I hope they are all okay and recovering well.”
Mills says she started the GoFundMe on July 2, 2024, and in just two days, the community of Vauxhall and the surrounding area has raised over $5,000 to help Wetherelt and her family. The goal of the fundraising, Mills says, is $10,000.
“The proceeds of the GoFundMe will be used to allow Marie’s family to be able to stay with her in Calgary and be with her at the hospital,” said Mills. “It will help with the cost of travel, hotel stays, and meals while her family is with her in Calgary. At this time it’s uncertain how long Marie will need to be in the Foothills Hospital before she can be transferred closer to home. It is yet to be determined how long Marie will be hospitalized before she can return home to recover. This money will also be used to help support Marie while she is unable to work.”
Wetherelt’s family, Mills says, especially her parents – Rob and Susan Anhorn are very appreciative of all the support from the community.
“Susan has been quite overwhelmed by the number of people who have reached out with words of encouragement and support for Marie,” said Mills. “Susan is so appreciative of the generosity of the people of our community. She said, “I can’t believe how many people have reached out to me offering to help in anyway they can. It’s amazing how many people you have in your corner and don’t even know it.”
Her connection to and appreciation for Wetherelt goes back a long way, Mills says.
“I know Marie and her family because they were one of the families in my 4-H Club and they became family friends,” said Mills. “Marie was a member of the Retlaw Prairie 4-H Club for 8 years and I was her 4-H leader. Marie started 4-H when she was 9 years old. She has a love for animals and participated in our beef and sheep projects, but she also did our pheasant project and participated in the Horse project. Marie volunteered to help with all of our community service projects and would often arrive early to help set up for the meetings and would stay late to help clean up. Marie graduated from Vauxhall High School in June 2023 and had been working for one of the potato farmers near Taber. She was still trying to decide what she would like to do in the future.”
The community, Mills says, has been very supportive of Marie and her family and so many have stepped up to help them out in this time of need.
“Marie is receiving wonderful care at the Foothills Hospital,” said Mills. “When emergencies happen in rural areas it can sometimes seem like geography is against us. Thank goodness for STARS and HALO because being airlifted to Calgary allowed Marie to receive the best care quickly.”
To donate to Wetherelt’s GoFundMe, visit: https://www. gofundme.com/f/donations-formarie-wetherelt.
“While we all wish for a quick recovery for Marie it is going to take some time before she is able to get back to work,” said Mills. “There will still likely be many appointments and physiotherapy involved in her recovery so there will be a lot of travel and expenses still so hopefully the money raised will be able to help with that. When emergencies like this happen it makes me so proud to be part of this community. Everyone has been so wonderful. I hope that this fundraiser will help to ease the financial burden of having to travel and stay in Calgary for this family.”
Heather Cameron,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Taber Times
