It all began with a wrestler.
Barry Bradshaw, who was just recognized by the Easter Seals National Volunteer Awards for his decades of work with Snowarama, said that it was Whipper Billy Watson that got it all started. He started promoting Snowaramas in Toronto, and he came west to promote the idea.
“We had a meeting with him, our club, and that’s how the interest started. The next year, I think it was, we did a Snowarama. Our club organized it.”
They didn’t organize it alone, and Bradshaw said it was CB clubs who helped, since this was a pre-cell phone era, and they needed people to keep talking along the route. Some sponsors, including Yorkton This Week, have also been there from the beginning like Bradshaw.
It’s now 43 years later, and millions has been raised by Snowarama in Yorkton. Bradshaw has been involved since the event began, but started chairing it in 1986. He said there’s been new riders every year, and they’re the ones that keep the event growing, but some have been there since the beginning.
“There are a few of the original riders that keep coming out. Not that many anymore, but there are a few!”
Bradshaw said that the growing support for it has been why it’s a success.
“It’s a little different the way we do it now than when we first started out. There’s more community support, corporate sponsorships and all that, and that helps out too.”
Bradshaw said that companies like Harvest Meats providing food and Yorkton Co-op providing gas have been instrumental in making the event work every year.
“Everybody chips in, we keep her going, and hopefully we can keep her going for another however many years.”
Bradshaw said he was shocked by the recognition, and is eager to point out that an event like Snowarama takes far more than just one person.
“I really appreciate it. It’s nice to know you’re instrumental in keeping it going. We’ve always had a great committee too, there has always been a dozen people on the committee over the years, and the snowmobile club helps every year, and good people at SaskAbilities that look after things, all the registrations and all that is volunteer help... It’s just a bunch of people and all appreciated.”
The Abilities Council also appreciates Bradshaw’s work.
“Easter Seals and SaskAbilities is so fortunate and grateful that for over 43 years Barry has devoted significant time and effort to raise funds for individuals experiencing disability and promote safe snowmobiling opportunities. Barry epitomizes what it means to give unselfishly of one’s time and to mobilize the broader community around a cause. We are so proud that Barry is receiving this recognition as he is most worthy of it.” said John Denysek, Regional Director of SaskAbilities, Yorkton Branch.
Bradshaw is also impressed with where the money is going. He said that he was able to go to Camp Easter Seal a couple years ago and was impressed to see the amount of care given to the kids, the activities like horseback riding they have a chance to take part in, and how the councillors at the camp give kids one-on-one attention.
“It was just amazing to see the facility there again.”
And Bradshaw said that support for Snowarama is going to stay in the family. He said he’s especially proud to see that his son Rick is also getting heavily involved.
