The Sturgis Mini Miracle continued its tradition of helping others on March 1 when the Kinsmen and Kinettes hosted their 38h annual Mini Miracle.
The Mini-Miracle raised $31,009 this yearthrough a combined effort of support from surrounding communities and the Sturgis and Preeceville schools.
"Throughout the past 37 years the Sturgis Kinsmen have raised over $851,000 for KinsmenTelemiracle which start颅ed in 1977," said Daniel Wasylenchuk, co-chair of Mini-Miracle.
Daniel Wasylenchuk, Tyler Blender, Megan Morton, Cheryl Walker, Katherine Walker and Ashton Langille presented the cheque on behalf of the Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes,on stage at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on March 3. Sheila Klebeck was also in attendance but was not part of the on-stage presentation.
The money was raised through the Kins颅men Mini Miracle radio-thon and the continued support from the sur颅rounding communities, organizers said. The Preeceville Hos颅pital bed push raised $7,559;Sturgis Elementary School, $5,632, and the Preeceville School, $2,655.
The miracle marathon, a joint venture by the Sturgis Composite High School and Kins颅men, raised $4,292.
After the arrival of the Preeceville Hospital bed push, approximately four hours later in Sturgis, the group presented a cheque to the Sturgis annual Mini Miracle committee during the annual Kinsmen Mini Miracle program.
The Sturgis Kinsmen miracle marathon was a combined effort of Sturgis Composite School students, staff and Kinsmen members. Participants who ran from Canora to Sturgis raising funds along the way were: Jalen Bayer, Garrett Bazuik, JR Puyos, Zane Bayer, Bo Babiuk, Carter Masley, Elijah Hort, Daniel Wasylenchuk, Tyler Blender, Dean Serdachny, Brad Cameron, Conrad Peterson and Keith Babiuk.
Student representative council members were: Kaeleigh Folk, Peyton Secundiak, Shanae Olson, Cole Kowalchuk and Sierra Meroniuk.
Volunteer drivers were: Jim Prekaski, Dale Lisoway, Neil Christopherson and Terry Hancock.
The Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes Mini-Miracle began in 1981 and started as a talent program and radiothon 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.
Daniel Wasylenchuk, Kinsmen president, kicked off the live broadcast program by extending a warm welcome on behalf of the Kinsmen and the town, and made a donation from the town to kick off the donations.
The Good Spirit School Division senior band as well as the jazz band under the direction of Nathan Seghers played numerous musical selections.
The Sturgis Elementary School choir, under direction of Carla Olson and Sherry Lesser entertained the audience and made a presentation for $5,632. The students raised the money through a skate-a-thon.
Other entertainers for the evening were: Julianna Moore (GX-94 Star Search winner), Lacey Holowaty of Kelvington, Taylor Belesky of Yorkton, Jesse Genaille of Swan River, Cassandra Danyluk of Canora, Sherry Lesser of Lintlaw and The Amazing Band of Preeceville and Sturgis.
