The Preeceville Hospital鈥檚 annual bed push for Telemiracle 41 raised a record-setting $8,025 on March 2.
鈥淲e want to recognize all the people who make this yearly event possible, including the individuals who pushed the bed from Preeceville to Sturgis and to those who are behind the scene,鈥� said Brenda Lubiniecki, organizer. 鈥淲e are very appreciative to the Preeceville School staff and students, Sturgis staff and students, maintenance who always get the bed ready for us, the Sturgis and District Fire firefighters for accompanying us on the road and most importantly to everyone who donated to support such a worthy cause.鈥�
Participants left the hospital grounds on March 2 determined to continue the annual tradition of the bed push, she said. They were escorted by the Sturgis and District fire rescue unit and followed by the Sturgis Firetruck. The rescue units鈥� flashing lights and siren signaled to motorists of the bed push in progress.
聽After canvassing in Preeceville, the entourage made its way along the highway to Sturgis where stopping motorist gave generously.
Preeceville School staff and students who joined the push later included Allyson Rock, Brittany Balawyder, Megan Morton, Todd Pankratz, Darrian Walker and Issac Kashuba.
Upon their arrival approximately two hours later in Sturgis, the group presented a cheque to the Sturgis 37th annual Mini-miracle committee during the annual Kinsmen Mini-miracle. Brenda Lubiniecki and Elaine Christopherson, accompanied by Sturgis Kinsmen, pushed the bed to the front of the stage at the Mini-miracle.
Those who participated in this year鈥檚 event were: Cheryl Walker, Keri Firman, Linda Pasiechnyk, Crystal Romanchuk, Penny Smorodin, Edie Belesky, Shelby Cook, Rhonda Cook, Kent Seerey, Dweight Paligan, Leoj Viran and Christian Acosta.
The group had collected donations at the hospital before they canvassed in the town of Preeceville and along the highway to Sturgis from passing motorists.
The Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes Mini-miracle presentation at Telemiracle in Saskatoon on Sunday included the total amount raised in the Preeceville Hospital bed push. In the province-wide campaign over聽 $5,000,000 was raised.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 do this event year after year without the continued support of the Preeceville Hospital, Lions Hostel staff and families, friends and most important of all, the support and generosity of the community,鈥� Lubiniecki said. 鈥淭he generosity of people and how it all comes together amazes me every year.鈥�
In the years that the Preeceville Hospital staff has organized a bed push, more than $130,000 was raised for Telemiracle.
