The Preeceville and District Lioness club hosted a turkey bingo fundraiser with the proceeds allotted towards the STARS air ambulance. The bingo featured over 50 players and was held at the Preeceville Legion Hall on November 22.
Diane Kudeba was caller and each player received an orange at the conclusion.
"Thank you all for coming out tonight to support a very worthy cause that our Lioness Club is very happy to show our support towards with thanks to all of you," said Heather Gawrelitza, president of the Lioness Club.
“STARS is so important for all of us living in rural Saskatchewan. In our Preeceville Lioness Club with a membership of 21, three loved ones have been saved by STARS so we are very thankful that we have this service in Saskatchewan.”
Dr. Gregory Powell was working as an emergency room physician in Calgary and lost a young mother who died en route to the hospital because of the time it took to transport her by ground from her rural home. Powell had worked as a physician on a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital known as MASH during the Vietnam War and knew that a helicopter ambulance service could mean the difference between life and death for critical patients who need immediate assistance and are not near a major trauma center. He created a non-profit organization and the local Lions Club provided the seed money. The first mission was carried out on December 1, 1985. Since then more than 24,000 missions have been flown. Powell served for 27 years as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Stars.
At the Preeceville fundraiser, Rocky Mountain Equipment donated the first aid kits that were raffled in a random draw. STARS donated the STARS hat and toy helicopter for raffle prizes and the pens and Band-Aids that were given out.
Peggy McLellan won the STARS hat and helicopter. Mary Meberg and Shirley Lowe each won a Rocky Mountain Equipment first aid kit.
