YORKTON - Every day we can find stories reflecting higher costs we as consumers are facing.
Property taxes are rising 3.93 per cent in Yorkton, and it was stated at a regular meeting of Council various fees are going up too as the city looks to maintain current levels of service at a time inflation is taking a bite out of its budget too.
Ashley Stradeski – Director of Finance with the city in presenting the budgets earlier this year suggested Yorkton residents would see at least some of the city’s fees for services rise as well in 2023 as another way to deal with increasing costs.
“This year is an interesting one. Just like everyone we’re (the city) facing huge increases in costs,” he said.
For example, inflation for the year has been sitting around the seven per cent or higher mark, and this affects all of the goods and services the City requires to operate, explained Stradeski.
And it doesn’t take long in a grocery store to realize food costs are higher than even a few months ago.
It means tightening the financial belt for most of us.
Yet, when there is a good cause worthy of support the dollars seem to be there.
This past weekend the Yorkton Kinsmen Club delivered more than $46,000 to this year’s Telemiracle. It was part of more than a total of $5.5 million raised in the 46th year of the telethon.
With this year’s donations added, the total raised by Telemiracle since 1977 is more than $158 million.
It’s understandable Telemiracle does well as all its proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.
Closer to home in a sense, this past weekend was also the 46th annual Snowarama event.
This year 160 riders raised $194,070 for Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun, and Adaptive Technology Services.
The interesting thing about Snowarama is how, even after all these years, it sees new efforts arise to raise dollars.
Last year was the first for the Arizona Desert Chapter which includes past Snowarama riders, who rallied friends to raise funds and ride their motorcycles in support of Camp Easter Seal. They were back at this year raising more than $65,000.
And, new this year was the Bowlarama for Snowarama event. Bowlarama involved individuals who participate in Easter Seals programs. Eleven teams and 41 bowlers showed their support by raising pledges and bowling. $12,454 was raised at this inaugural event.
Somehow we as a community, both as a city and province, know that there are those who need some help, and when good causes such as Telemiracle and Snowarama come asking we find a way to help – which is what makes a community.
