For the 45th year, the Snowarama fundraiser was held in order to raise money for SaskAbilities who sponsor Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun and Adaptive Technology Services.
The fundraiser was held February 11th-19th with riders joining in from all around the province. The Snowarama committee sent each rider a package which allowed each of them to participate in their own local areas.
A minimum of $150 in pledges was required to join. This year, $103,453.24 was fundraised at the moment of counting, with more donations still coming in. Also, $5700 was raised as part of the online auction.
Lynn and Sandra Schmidt of Langenburg were part of the 119 riders who fundraised for Snowarama, while Logan McDonell and Lynelle Schmidt also joined on February 15th at Good Spirit for the ride. Lynn fundraised the second most of any individual rider, bringing in nearly $7000 for the charity.
Lynn stated, “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me for Snowarama this year. This was my best year ever. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, I was able to raise $6846.80 but I could not do it without the support of family, friends, businesses and co-workers.”
The last two years, groups were given the opportunity to ride on a day of their choosing. This is different than the previous set up where everyone would gather to ride together on one specific day.
Schmidt joined for the first time back in 1996 and Sandra joined the next year; the pair have been participating together ever since. Lynn has been riding in the event for 27 years now, while Sandra has been involved for 26. He mentioned, “I had nearly 180 pledges this year and this is the most money I’ve ever raised; it put me in second place.”
Easter Seals works to enrich the lives of every individual experiencing disability in our province. Each year the group provides services to children, youth, adults and their families through programs offered by SaskAbilities, owner and operator of Easter Seals Saskatchewan.
The intention is to enhance the quality of life, self-esteem and determination of individuals experiencing disability through programs such as Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun and Adaptive Technology Services.
Camp Easter Seal, located at Manitou Beach near Watrous, is the only completely barrier-free camp facility of its kind in Saskatchewan and offers campers a true camping experience. This year will be the camp’s 66th season in operation.
Campers experience horseback riding, arts and crafts, sports, campfires, boating and swimming.
The average cost to send a kid to Camp Easter Seal is $1,955 and therefore support is much needed to help fund the cost.
The average cost to send a child to Summer Fun urban day camp is roughly $1,500 which is also funded through donations to Easter Seals Saskatchewan.
In 1950, families of children with cerebral palsy believed there could be better education, treatment, and services for their children and others like them; they did something about it and started the Saskatchewan Council for Crippled Children. Within a year, the Council found itself providing services not only to children but also adults impacted by the effects of polio. To reflect this expansion of services, the name was changed to Saskatchewan Council for Crippled Children and Adults.
In 1984, a desire to emphasize abilities rather than disabilities led to a second name change for the agency; they became the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.
In 2017, to reflect the organization’s progress and evolution, they introduced a third name change: SaskAbilities, a more modern, streamlined version of the name that still maintains a respectful nod to their history and roots in the community.
Each year, the group provides employment, quality of life, and rehabilitation programs and services for tens of thousands of Saskatchewan children and adults experiencing disability.
Call SaskAbilities in Yorkton at 1-833-444-4126 or 1-306-621-7840 for more information, or visit www.snowarama.ca