Area residents may notice a bit of a difference this year in the look of Snowarama, a prominent annual fundraising event for Easter Seals.
“We no longer have an Easter Seals ambassador,” said John Denysek, regional director of the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.
In previous years, a local disabled child was chosen to be the face of the campaign because funds raised go to providing recreational opportunities for children with disabilities such as Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun, and Adaptive Technology Services. The Snowarama committee decided to get away from the single ambassador because they feel the overall social impact of the event is more far-reaching.
“We’ll be highlighting testimonials from various stakeholders and how the event and the Easter Seals program benefits individuals and the community,” Densyek explained.
They also hope the change, along with some other tweaks, will help keep Snowarama, now in its 39th year, growing.
“Part of the success of the Snowarama is evolving and changing to keep the event relevant,” Denysek said.
The 39th running of the snowmobile ride from Gallagher Centre to Good Spirit Lake and back will have a few other additions.
For example, they are giving away, by raffle, a dream travel vacation travel voucher from Marlin Travel and will feature live entertainment at the banquet.
“We’re looking at ways to re-energize the banquet,” Denysek said.
And, of course, there will be a snowmobile up for grabs. This year the sled sponsor is Schrader’s, one of four local dealers who take turns donating the grand prize. This year it is a 2016 Yamaha Phazer XTX.
For every $150 raised by participants by pledges, they get one ticket in a draw for the snow machine.
The committee announced the 2016 event, scheduled for February 6, at a barbecue and press conference October 16 at the COOP grocery store.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 39 years, but it is and I think we’re going to have a pretty good program this year,” said Barry Bradshaw, 2016 committee chair. “Providing we get the snow,” he quipped. “I know some people don’t want that, but we certainly need it for Snowarama.”
The COOP is a perennial supporter of the event, providing free fuel and lunch to all the riders at the halfway point.
“We’re proud to be a sponsor of an event like this, we know it’s going for a worthy cause and it’s just nice to be part of the community< said Glen Wall, manager of the COOP Agro Division.
Bradshaw said it is a great partnership.
“We thank them for that, they’re a real supporter of Snowarama and it’s good to see them come in again and supply the fuel, as well as things like [the barbecue launch of the campaign],” he said.
Over the years, Snowarama has raised more than $2 million. This year’s goal is $160,000 spread between riders’ pledges, banquet revenue, raffle sales and corporate sponsorship, Denysek explained.
“In speaking to the committee members, we’ve been planning the event since August already, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and the changes are generating more enthusiasm, so we’re confident we’ll meet our fundraising goals,” he said.
