With how much fun Willy Winmar had at his first birthday party in Crescent Park last spring, it only made sense to do it all over again in a year’s time.
Sure enough, there the big blue guy was once again on Saturday as hundreds of party-goers gathered at the park’s amphitheatre for an afternoon of fun, games and music for his second birthday.
And what a party it was, as patrons were treated to cupcakes, ran around giant bouncy castles, played games like connect four and cornhole, took in performances by musicians and magicians and just had an all around fun time on a warm day in late spring.
“It’s been a great turnout and it looks like everyone is having a really good time,” said Pete Iatridis, business development and marketing manager for Winmar. “We like to give back to the community, they support us so we want to support them, and we’re happy to be able to tie it in with Moose Jaw mental health and raise awareness and funds for them as well.”
The charitable component is a significant part of Willy’s celebration, with all food trucks taking part in the event donating a portion of their proceeds to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation. The MJHF will in turn see to it that funds get to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s mental health division, with Winmar also matching those donations dollar-for-dollar.
Members of the SHA were on hand to answer questions and offer information, with their button-making station also proving to be plenty popular throughout the day.
While a government organization, the SHA receives additional funds from groups like the Health Foundation to help with unique projects.
“Most recently we held an empowerment camp for women that went really well, and it’s all due to the support of the Foundation helping us think outside of the box and offer some things we wouldn’t otherwise do,” said Michael Seiferling, director mental health and additions with the SHA.
“We have two goals in coming to events like this: raise awareness and reduce stigma, and it also doesn’t hurt that proceeds are going to us being able to think of other things we can do to provide tools and support to empower people in the community.”
Winmar is a disaster restoration company that began operating in Moose Jaw and Regina in 2010. Business has boomed since, with Winmar now offering services in Estevan, Yorkton, Brandon and Winnipeg.
Given the success of the birthday party and the exposure it gives to the company, Iatridis believes it has now become an annual event.
“We want to keep it going for sure,” Iatridis said. “Hopefully we can keep adding things and making it better and keep the weather on our side.”
