STARS Air Ambulance is an important feature in rural Saskatchewan and as a non-profit relies on the efforts of fundraising. Locally the White Bear Lake Ladies Golf Tournament focuses on exactly this, raising money for an essential service.
STARS became operational 30 years ago, since then they have flown over 29,000 missions from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grand Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.
“Since establishing operations in Saskatchewan in 2012, STARS’ Regina and Saskatoon missions have flown more than 2,200 missions across the province,” Bonnie Monteith said.
Of these missions many local communities have seen STARS numerous times: Alameda – 1, Arocla – 25, Carlyle – 6, Heward – 1, Kennedy – 1, Kenosee Lake – 3, Kisbey – 2, Lampman – 5, Maryfield – 2, Redvers – 2, Stoughton – 9, Wawota – 2, and White Bear Lake – 3.
“With STARS in the air, people living in rural Saskatchewan, working in remote areas, travelling on highways, or being transported from local hospitals to major medical centres receive the best critical care in an intensive care environment,” Monteith said.
The women hosting the golf tournament are dedicated in supporting STARS and are looking for sponsors for the day.
Colleen Brown, Ev Sillers, and Jacky Lothian are heading up the event and have explained that there are four levels of sponsorship: Bronze at $100, Silver at $200, Gold at $300 or more, and Platinum at $600 or more. The sponsorship can be a monetary donation or a participant prize; but, ultimately the women are focused on raising money for STARS.
Last year Lothian stated, “The tournament was a huge success due to wonderfully enthusiastic golfers and fabulously supportive businesses. The generosity of the Bear Claw Casino, the White Bear Golf Course, and our many sponsors this year has empowered us to contribute to the lifesaving STARS Air Ambulance.”
This will be the third annual Ladies Golf Tournament for STARS held by members of the White Bear Lake Golf Course.
The three women, Lothian, Brown, and Sillers, decided to host the event to create a fun day for women in the area directed towards a good cause. In 2013 the event was fully booked and it became obvious to the ladies that it could become an annual, sustainable way to raise funds for STARS.
Last year, after the success of their first tournament, hosted the Second Annual White Bear Lake Ladies Golf Tournament and dedicated it to STARS. This year they decided to again fundraise for the life saving air ambulance many people depend on.
Brown told The Observer in the past, “Stars has already done great things in the area. We really need it here because we’re two hours away from a major city and a fully-equipped hospital.”
This year’s White Bear Lake Ladies Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, July 17, and will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration and the coffee will be on.
The shotgun start will be held at 11 a.m. followed by supper at 5 p.m.
Entry is $80 and the registration deadline is Friday, July 3. Contact Colleen at 306-453-6077 or Jacky at 306-630-3967 for more information.