Cooper Nemeth bracelet funds donated to Bear Clan Patrol

Two Winnipeg women havepresentedthe Bear Clan Patrol with money theyraised by selling bracelets in memory of Cooper Nemeth, who was found dead in the city in February.

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Paige Buors and RamonaWaldnerhad thousands of rubber bracelets made while Nemeth, who was last seen alive on Feb. 14, was missing. Several local businesses sold the bracelets as the search for the teen continued before reaching a tragic end on Feb. 20.

On Saturday, the women donated the money raised from the sale of thebraceletsto the volunteer safety group that helped in a number of exhaustive searches for Nemeth and regularly patrol Winnipeg's streets.

Bear Clan Patrolco-ordinator JamesFavel said support for the group continues to grow as a result of its work with Nemeth's family and friends. He said the donation will be put to a good cause.

"It's so much more than I even expected,"Favel said. "It's not just the money;it's the whole coming together of our communities. It's made things so much more possible for us."

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Buors said the Bear Clan Patrol helped Nemeth's family cope withthe teen's disappearance and death.

"Obviously the outcome was not the one we had hoped for but it's really good to see the family has support behind them and everyone wants justice," she said.

Although she did not knowNemeth's family prior to the hisdisappearance, Waldner said the teen was ''Winnipeg's boy," and theloss united people across the city.

"It's just beautiful," she said.

"They're such great people and they opened our eyes to Winnipeg's beautiful community and culture and brought everyone together."

Following the searches,Faveland Larry Morrissette, an indigenous elder and educator, organized a drum circle and smudging ceremony to honor Nemeth's life. Hundreds showed up to remember the teen.

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Bracelets span the globe

While Nemeth was missing, Buors sold the bracelets to thousands in Winnipeg, Canada and even a hockey team in England.

They were grey and white the colours of Nemeth's hockey team with, 'RememberCip,' printed on them. Nemeth was affectionately called Cip by family and friends.

For Buors, the sales reflectedlocal, national and international communities'support for the teen.

"That was incredible," she said.

"It just went viral so quickly I think because so many people were involved in the search that they wanted to feel a part of this, too."

Buors says Nemeth's family asked that money raised from the sale of the bracelets be donated to the Bear Clan Patrol.

Bear Clanrepresentatives, including Favel,accepted the donation at a public event at the bell tower, located atSelkirkAvenue and Powers Street in theNorth End.

"They want to thank us, but we owe it all to them," Favel said, noting that Nemeth's familyadvocatesfor his group and the work members do in the community.

"So [many] more doors are flying open for us," Favel said."Regina, Saskatoon, all these places are calling for our model now and it's because of their participation ... it just made everything possible and I just can't thank them enough."