A young woman's wish will be fulfilled despite her death thanks to family and friend, and hopefully a few generous locals.
Jordan Neumann's loved ones are holding a fundraiser to collect the last remaining funds needed to build a sports centre in a Mexican orphanage.
Neumann moved to Squamish nine years ago and was attending college for early childhood education when she died in January after battling brain cancer for more than two years.
It was her wish to make a significant impact for children in need, and with this in mind, in January her family asked that instead of sending condolence flowers, donations were preferred to put towards a worthy project.
"We kind of didn't know what Jordan wanted until she passed and I found a sort of bucket list," said her mother Heather Neumann.
"In it she said she wanted to dedicate her life to helping those in need, and she wanted to play soccer again."
Nine months later, the Jordan Neumann Memorial Fund is only $2,000 short of having enough money to install a sports centre for an orphanage in Mexico, Casa Alto Refugio, and family friend Trish James is organizing a fundraiser to meet the required amount - $16,000.
"It's what she would have wanted," said James, "she was such a caring girl who wanted to make a difference."
Organizers decided to hold the fundraiser on Sept. 11 because it would have been Jordan's birthday weekend.
"Sept. 10 would have been her 21st birthday and we're going to be having a hard time anyways," said her mother, "so why not do it that weekend and maybe make something positive out of something tragic?"
James said the Neumanns were very close family friends and had been since the Neumann family moved to Squamish nine years ago.
"We are very, very close family friends and Jordan was near to my heart," said James. "I think this is the right way to celebrate her would be birthday.
"If Jordie were around she would be saying 'don't shed a tear, have some fun and let's get this thing built.'"
The orphanage, located in Puebla, is a haven for boys and girls from six and 16 years old who are no longer in the adoption program. This is usually because the children are considered too old or have siblings and the government doesn't want them separated.
"Most of these children have suffered physical and emotional abuse and exploitation," according to Alto Refugio owners Enrique and Sue Borja. "And all have experienced abandonment.
"Because of our profile, the children we receive are older and very far behind in their schooling and development. Our vision is to work with these children until they are self-sufficient, providing schooling, job training, physical and emotional healing, spiritual guidance and life planning."
Although the family's initial plan was to build a school in a Third World country, it wasn't feasible financially, and the sports complex is fitting because Jordan was extremely athletic.
"Jordan was an avid rep soccer player and loved basketball and sports in general," said James, "so when this orphanage said it was in dire need of a sports centre, it was a good fit."
The fundraiser will take place at the Cliffside Pub Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and they include a beer and admission. Local band Zombie's Locker has agreed to play free, Cliffside owner Thelma Yamaguchi offered the space and numerous local businesses donated great items and gift certificates.
"There will be three men's Nixon watches, a ton of gift certificates and even hotel vouchers," said James. "This community really goes all out when someone is in need."
Neumann said the sports complex construction should only take about two months, and once it's completed the whole family will go down to see it and commemorate Jordan.
"There will be a plaque and we're going to lay some of Jordan's ashes down there too," she said. "It's going to be part of her, it's going to be her."
