小蓝视频

KAMSACK — Telemiracle is said to be as much of a part of our provincial culture as it is a family tradition. The longevity of Saskatchewan’s only telethon and the traditions it encompasses has brought forth many bequests and memorial donations over the years. One of this year’s memorial donations came from a Kamsack senior.

Orest Sych was born on Sept. 14, 1938 in Maybridge, Sask. One of nine children, he grew up on the family farm, which he eventually took over after his father passed.

A lifelong supporter of Telemiracle, Sych left $12,000 in his will to TeleMiracle as a tribute to his nieces and nephews. He passed away Jan. 7 of this year, at the age of 86.

Dana Sych, whose dad was brother to Orest, and is one of his nieces, told the Kamsack Times and SASKTODAY.ca, “My uncle never married or had children of his own but was surrounded by 22 nieces and nephews and their children. Uncle Orest’s farm was a fabulous place during the summer for the cousins to gather. He always had time for us. We all have so many fond memories there.”

Sych’s extended family of nieces and nephews say whether it was riding the dune buggy or Lobo, building tree houses together, exploring the barn on the farm or helping Uncle Orest fix something, which they attest he could fix just about anything, hold so many fond memories of this generous soul.

Sych eventually retired to Kamsack where his family could always find him tinkering in his garage, working in the garden or fishing at Madge Lake.

“Uncle Orest faithfully watched Telemiracle every year. He knew that donations supported people in his community and throughout the province. His nieces and nephews were an important part of his life so that is why his will stated he wanted to honour these important people with this memorial donation as a tribute to all of us.”

The family said they felt honoured to be recognized by their uncle and that he chose an organization that helps so many people, including many children, in our province.

Being spread across Western Canada, and with some out of the country, the Sych family handed over the task of this memorial tribute presentation at Telemiracle 49 to one of the cast members. The presentation took place on the Sunday of the broadcast, March 2, just after one in the afternoon.

“I am so impressed with interactions we have had with Telemiracle office,” Dana added. “They have been amazing, gave us all the options, prompts and how to write his tribute. They made everything so easy for us and we could tell this donation meant almost as much to them as it did to us. Kudos to Kinsmen and Kinettes, so well done.”