The future for a young Ponoka woman is a bit brighter now.
Samantha Wiebe, 18, was injured in an incident last Christmas Day during a visit with family in Saskatchewan, where she lost the use of her legs. With the long-term prognosis stating that she may never get the feeling back in her legs, the community has rallied behind Samantha and her family for her future.
A huge fundraising event was held at the Ponoka Moose Lodge hall just south of the community on Saturday, May 14 that attracted a large number family, friends and those from the greater Ponoka community that have gotten to know the Wiebe family over the years.
And the event was a huge success, generating more than $20,000 through a silent auction - which included items ranging from clothing, tents and handmade goods to bull semen.
While a gofundme page was set up initially to help with immediate expenses, family friends Kristie Stretch and Femke Lubach, along with members of the Rempel family, got together recently to organize the fundraiser in hopes of providing some money to help Samantha address her future needs.
“It started about a month ago to help Sam with whatever her needs will be - from medical to her future education to even what she might need when she wants to go live on her own,” Stretch said.
“The support received from the entire community was amazing. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Lubach added that support included all of the people and businesses that donated the auction items along with the Moose Lodge donating the use of the hall and the catering company provided the food as their donation.
With Samantha graduating next month from Ponoka Secondary Campus, both Stretch and Lubach are hopeful this will provide a starting point for her continued progress for the future.