(submitted photo/ Vern Hodgins)

By Ronald Quaroni

Snowy Inspiration

Prince Albert man shares meaningful message

Apr 13, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Sixty-eight-year-old Vern Hodgins is taking advantage of the late April snowfalls to help spread a simple, but uplifting message.

Inspired by his own current cancer journey and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hodgins decided to make his mark.

While out snowshoeing at Little Red River Park he stomped and scratched the world HOPE into the snow.

“I think I did about 110 of those out at Little Red River Park on two different snowshoes trails and two different ski trails,” Hodgins told paNOW.

Since then Hodgins has put his snowshoes and Ski-Doo boots to work as he moves his optimistic marketing campaign to the lawns, parks and open spaces of Prince Albert.

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“I think that word ‘HOPE’ is just something the whole world could use right now,” Hodgins said.

The retired teacher has also been a long-time supporter of the Terry Fox Run and says his Hope campaign has tied-in to Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope which celebrated its 40^th anniversary on April 12.

Hodgins said he’s received positive feedback on social media.

“’We saw your letters [and] message on the ski-trails, neat idea, way to go… we saw your message on the Rotary Trail,'” Hodgins said.

Hodgins hopes he has inspired others and encourages them to join him in decorating their own patches of snow.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni.