WILKIE - Sept.18 was an exciting day in Wilkie as the Pegasus Project arrived at Country Ford, much to the delight of car enthusiasts of all ages.
The idea for the project started out of a horrific event, the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash April 6, 2018, which devastated a community, province, country and the world. With 16 young hockey players killed and 13 injured, STARS were extremely busy, getting those critically injured people to Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon. No one will ever forget that night and the days and weeks that followed.
A dedicated group, led by Vaughn Wyant and Wayne Halabura, both car enthusiasts, came up with the idea of building a custom built 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe that would go on the bidding block at the world-famous Barret-Johnson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., in January 2022. Along with Bryan Thiessen, Creative Concepts Restorations, designer Bruce Williams and Tom Foster, Industrial Machine & Manufacturing and dedicated craftsmen built this one-of-a-kind Mustang. Wyant and Halabura were able to add in-kind and cash donations to make Pegasus a reality and that some good came out of horrific tragedy.
When asked why Pegasus, the answer was simple. Pegasus is a winged horse constellation representing STARS and, of course, the horse for the Mustang.
Next came finding a perfect ambassador for the project. Saskatoon born actor Kim Coates of television and film, was asked, agreeing immediately, with a hockey line of four Saskatchewan born hockey players; Brayden Schenn, Jayden Schwartz, Tyler Bozak (St. Louis Blues) and Luke Schenn (Tampa Bay Lightening). August 2019 the team was announced, and they were ready and willing to get the project on the road raising money for STARS.
In 2020, Conexus Credit Union and MNP Accountants each donated $500,000, with them eager to support and promote the project during the pandemic.
March 16, 2021, Humboldt Broncos survivor Kaleb Dahlgren generously donated part of the proceeds from his book Crossroads, a story of the tragedy and resiliency. The Road Show started June 2021 with Pegasus travelling around the province raising money for STARS, with the final stop at Country Ford and will culminate with the auction in January.
Country Ford, Wilkie, as part of Prairie Ford dealers across the province, were happy to host the Pegasus Project for STARS. Neil Georget, General Manager, and the staff were pleased to play host and as he stated, “supporting STARS is important as they save so many lives.”
Eric Gryba, retired NHL defenceman, born and raised in Saskatoon, representing Pegasus and STARS, was on hand to have pictures taken with him, talk about the importance of STARS and had a display of items available for purchase including the Crossroads book Kaleb Dalgren wrote about the bus accident. Many youngsters and older hockey fans wanted pictures with Gryba, who accommodated everyone with a smile and a fist pump. He and Georget said this was the last stop in Saskatchewan for Pegasus with the next stop Scottsdale, Ariz. for the auction.’
The Wilkie and District Fire Department members and helpers were on hand serving up burgers and hot dogs along with refreshments with all proceeds going directly to STARS. Many $20 bills were given with the comment “keep the change, those big red STARS helicopters have visited our area many times and saved lives.”
It was an exciting and special day for Wilkie with support not just from town but from the surrounding area, towns, villages and cities.
This event at Country Ford was part of a trio of activities in the community of Wilkie Sept. 18 that included the junior division of Super-Volley at the SaskCan arena and a show and shine along with entertainment that was held on the lot of Innovation Credit Union.
