Burns and McDonnell presents $26,000 to Hunger in Moose Jaw

Burns & McDonnell (B&M), the company managing the Great Plains Power Station construction site, held their annual charity golf tournament Aug. 5 and raised $26,000 to help Hunger in Moose Jaw (HiMJ).

HiMJ feeds over 350 children in Moose Jaw-area schools each week, providing a nutritious lunch to boost their learning and get them through the day. The organization, operating since 1993, relies heavily on community support for its programming.

“That is awesome,” said Sharla Sept, executive of HiMJ, when the B&M team revealed the donation amount. “I just can’t get over it … This makes a huge difference!”

Sept said the donation amount will be added on top of the existing budget she had planned for the year and enable HiMJ to add nutritional value to thousands of meals this school year.

“This money can go directly into our food costs,” Sept added. “This is extra that wasn’t budgeted for and it’s an amazing gift. We can do a lot with this and it will go a long way.”

Jade Wilcox, the safety administrator at the site office, said she personally benefitted from HiMJ’s school lunches growing up. Helping to plan this year’s charity golf tournament was uniquely significant for her.

“It was so special and important to give back to the community,” Wilcox said. “I was actually able to use the program when I first moved to Moose Jaw and it was the factor in me finishing school. Sometimes it was my only meal in the day, so to be able to be a part of this and give back to Sharla is so amazing and magical.”

“We had 144 golfers attend, and we were well supported by the community and all of our vendors,” said Brad Butcher, B&M site manager. “I want to thank all the sponsors who supported the tournament, all the community sport organizations, I want to thank all the golfers that came, the Hillcrest Golf Course for allowing us to have it there.

“A thank you to the Grant Hall Hotel for allowing us to put the dinner there. We had the silent auction and the live auction and did all the awards there, so. And what an amazing feat to raise $26,000 from it, that’s all community support, very representative of the community of Moose Jaw and of Saskatchewan.”

B&M office administrator Jami-Lee Cuthbert was the primary organizer of the tournament.

“Everything came together really well,” Cuthbert said. “We can’t thank everyone enough for the support. The local businesses, our suppliers and vendors and subcontractors. I mean, it’s a day of fun for everyone, but it just means so much for the community of Moose Jaw.

“I’m so excited for how excited Sharla is for this money, so I know it’s going to the right place.”