Badges versus Bolts charity game honours volunteer spirit

By Dale Woodard - Lethbridge Herald on January 18, 2022.

When it came to game night at the arena, there wasn’t any role Deborah Edmonds wouldn’t take on.
That volunteer spirit was honoured at the first Badges Versus Bolts Charity Hockey Challenge, hosted by the Lethbridge Lightning Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
Prior to the fundraising game between the Lightning and Team Badges, consisting of Lethbridge police, RCMP and fire and emergency crew members, the memory of Edmonds – who passed away to cancer a little over a year ago – was honoured in the pre-game puck drop ceremony.
Taking part in the puck drop ceremony was Deborah’s daughter, Kim, granddaughter, Bronwyn, as well as Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen.
Taking the faceoff on behalf of Team Badges was Deborah’s son and former member of the Lightning, Devery Edmonds.
A portrait of Deborah was also unveiled and in the second intermission her story was told, as well as that of Lightning vice president/public relations director Brian Treadwell, who is battling cancer.
A portion of ticket proceeds went toward the Jack Ady Cancer Centre with $1,242 raised at the inaugural event.
For the Edmonds, Lightning game night was one for the whole family.
“It really means a lot to us,” said Kim of the pre-game ceremony. “My brother, Devery, played for (the Lightning) and my mom was very involved in it. She loved coming in. It was a family affair. We watched every game we could. She traveled to see them. She worked at the front and both her and my dad volunteered for the team.”
There was no job Deborah would not fill, said Kim.
“She would work at the front when people would come in, doing admission. She would sell 50-50 tickets. Honestly, anything asked of her. She loved hockey.”
Bronwyn enjoyed seeing her grandmother’s legacy celebrated Saturday night.
“Everyone is seeing how amazing she was.”
Back in 2020, the Lightning were named the hosts of the Senior AA provincials before the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As always for Deborah and her family, the goal was to be involved at that event.
“We knew provincials were coming and we were all going to take a volunteer position because it was a family affair,” said Kim.
In addition to the funds raised, on the ice, the Badges won the game 14-11.

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