(see photo gallery below)
The Sturgis Mini-Miracle continued its tradition of helping others on March 2 when the Kinsmen and Kinettes hosted their 37th annual Mini-Miracle.
The Mini-Miracle raised $31,441 this yearthrough a combined effort of support from surrounding communities and the Sturgis and Preeceville schools.
"Throughout the past 36 years the Sturgis Kinsmen have raised $826,561 for KinsmenTelemiracle which started in 1977," said Daniel Wasylenchuk, co-chair of Mini-Miracle.
Daniel Wasylenchuk, Tyler Blender, Megan Morton, Katherine Walker and Ashton Langille presented the cheque on behalf of the Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes,on stage at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon on March 5.
The money was raised through the Kinsmen Mini-Miracle radio-thon and the continued support from the surrounding communities, organizers said. The Preeceville Hospital bed push raised $8,025;Sturgis Elementary School, $3,233, and the Preeceville School, $2,483.
The miracle marathon, a joint venture by the Sturgis Composite High School and Kinsmen raised $4,741. The SCHS staff and students also contributed towards the marathon amount by paying to wear hats during the year, hats from charity, staff dress down days and the SCHS We Day donation, which totalled $2.405.
The total amount raised by the Sturgis Composite High School was $7,146.
Upon the arrival of the Preeceville Hospital bed push, approximately two hours later in Sturgis, the group presented a cheque to the Sturgis annual Mini-Miracle committee during the annual Kinsmen Mini-Miracle program. Elaine Christopherson and Brenda Lubiniecki made the presentation in Sturgis.
The Sturgis Kinsmen miracle marathon was a combined effort of SCHS students, staff and Kinsmen members. Participants who braved the cold to run from Canora to Sturgis raising funds along the way were: Rhianna Olson, Shanae Olson, Jalen Bayer, Zane Bayer, Peyton Secundiak, Carter Masley and Sierra Meroniuk.
Student representative council members were: Tessa Rehaluk, Kaeleigh Folk, Allison Sopel, Brooke Olson, Nicole Tureski and Kristiaan Rayner. Volunteer drivers were: Jim Prekaski, Dale Lisoway, Ron Wagar, Dean Serdachny and Craig Folk. Kinsmen participating were Tyler Blender and Daniel Waslenchuk.
The Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes Mini-Miracle began in 1981 and started as a talent program and radio-thon fundraiser for Telemiracle. It raised only $8,000 but eventually the talent contest portion was dropped. Various events from surrounding communities were held to make the Sturgis Mini-Miracle the success it is today, it was said.
Telemiracle Teddy made a short appearance, much to the delight of the many children in attendance,
Mayor Alan Holmberg could not attend so Daniel Wasylenchuk, Kinmsen president, kicked off the live broadcast program by extending a warm welcome on behalf of the town and made a donation from the town to kick off the donations.
The Good Spirit School Division band as well as the jazz band under the direction of Nathan Seghers played numerous musical selections.
The Sturgis Elementary School, under direction of Carla Olson, entertained the audience and made a presentation for $3,233.The students raised the money through a skate-a-thon.
Other entertainers for the evening were: Amy McDade (GX-94 Star Search winner), James Betts of Melville, Shayla Ulmer of Neudorf, Chris Fisher of Yorkton, Cassandra Danyluk of Canora, Piper Jaquemart of Norquay, Paige Hansen of Sturgis, Sherry Lesser of Lintlaw and Janet Howard of Sturgis. Ulmer and Betts appeared as part of the talent show at Telemiracle 41 in Saskatoon on March 4 and 5.
