The front entrance of Canadian Tire was busy with the annual charity barbecue for STARS Air Ambulance on June 27. A steady crowd of hungry lunch-seekers stopped by to donate to the cause and enjoy a freshly grilled hamburger for their trouble.
The delicious fundraiser was hosted by Quality Inn & Suites here in Moose Jaw, with staff volunteering their time to grill and take care of those who stop in. This is the second year for the barbecue fundraiser in Moose Jaw.
Last year, it was held at the hotel, which was formerly the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, but this year regional sales manager Lisa Schenher wanted to have it someplace more focal.
“We really, really feel very passionately. . . and we're glad that we can help people out,” said Schenher. “We're really thankful for the community coming out and supporting us.”
Schenher and the staff feel good about raising money for programs like STARS because many guests stay there on a long-term basis because of it’s proximity to the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital.
“We develop relationships, the people coming into our hotel become family,” said Shenher. “It just touches us in every avenue really.”
Because of some generous sponsorship, each donation at the event garnered an entry to win some incredible prizes: a wrought iron bench from Canadian Tire, two passes to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw as well as two passes to the escape rooms at Little Chicago Entertainment, a jacket from the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company, two free stays at the Quality Inn & Suites, and various gift certificates.
Whether it was the location or the cause, the barbecue was kept quite busy with people from the community stopping for a bite. Several crews from the Moose Jaw Fire Department also stopped in, along with hungry personnel from the Moose Jaw & District EMS and the Moose Jaw Police Service.
STARS VIP Suzanne Rodgers joined the cause as a volunteer with the organization because STARS provided her with emergency transport after a post-surgery blood clot was discovered in her neck. STARS airlifted her from Moose Jaw to Regina in 16 minutes, for a surgery that saved her life.
“Without STARS, my life could've been very different, or my children's lives, my family's lives,” said Rodgers.
For Rodgers, she is grateful for STARS and the support she saw at the fundraiser feels good to bear witness to, as it confirms the organization is valued in the community.
“STARS is a wonderful organization, and by the turnout here today, people do see the need for it,” said Rodgers. “It's not just in rural Saskatchewan that there's a need for STARS, [and I think] some people don't realize that STARS could be used for a simple transfer between hospitals.”
All of the donations from the event will be given directly back to STARS, to support the organization in continuing their work.
Didn't get out to the barbecue but want to help out? Tickets are still being sold for the STARS Lottery. The early bird deadline has passed but the ticket deadline is July 18. The draw will be on August 1. Visit their website for more information.
