The Sturgis Mini-Miracle continued its tradition of helping others on February 28 when the Kinsmen and Kinettes hosted their 39h annual Mini-Miracle at the Sturgis Composite School.
Melissa Kirwan, Deputy Governor for the Zone and Erin Hanson, the National Kinsmen president observed the events at the Mini-Miracle.
The Sturgis Kinsmen Club recognized Brad Cameron with a special plaque denoting his dedication. Cameron has been a Kinsmen member for the past 30 plus years and was recognized for his outstanding leadership, inspiration and dedication to the community of Sturgis and surrounding area. Cameron also organized the mini marathon run for the past 26 years.
The Mini-Miracle raised $29,469 this yearthrough a combined effort of support from surrounding communities and the Sturgis and Preeceville schools.
"Throughout the past 38 years the Sturgis Kinsmen have raised $889,000 for KinsmenTelemiracle which started in 1977," said Daniel Wasylenchuk, co-chair of Mini-Miracle.
Daniel Wasylenchuk, Cheryl Walker, Katherine Walker, Lecia Chalupiak and Sheila Klebeck presented the cheque and answered phones on behalf of the Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes,on stage at the TCU Place in Saskatoon on March 3. Other Kinsmen and Kinette members who also helped to answer phones were: Rhonda Olson, Ashton Langille, Chris Walker and Chelsey Kurytnik.
The money was raised through the Kinsmen Mini-Miracle radiothon and the continued support from the surrounding communities, organizers said. The Preeceville Hospital bed push raised $11,673;Sturgis Elementary School, $5,837 and the Preeceville School, $1,351.
The miracle marathon, a joint venture by the Sturgis Composite High School and Kinsmen raised $2,530.
Meghan Morton and Sheila Klebeck, on behalf of the Preeceville School made the presentation on stage in Sturgis. The Preeceville School held a “pie in the face” fundraiser, pancake breakfast and hat fundraiser for a total of $1,351.
Upon 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. Individuals who made the presentation on stage in Sturgis were: Brenda Lubiniecki, Brian Lubiniecki, Elaine Christopherson, Sheila Klebeck and Cheryl Walker.
The Sturgis Kinsmen miracle marathon was a combined effort of Sturgis Composite School students, staff and Kinsmen members. Participants who ran and volunteered from Canora to Sturgis raising funds along the way were: Jim Prekaski, Kylie Babiuk, Kent Hurlburt, Sierra Meroniuk, Daniel Wasylenchuk, Kale Musey, Jason Peterson, Jalen Bayer, Dean Serdachny, Garrett Bazuik, Keith Babiuk, Zane Bayer, Brad Cameron, Neil Christopherson, Bo Babiuk and Conrad Peterson, Audrey Vargas, Mikayla Gregory, Brett Smith, Danika Soltys, Chaz Jaeb, Shanae Olson, Mollie Jaeb, JR Puyos and Shae Peterson
The Sturgis Kinsmen and Kinettes Mini-Miracle began in 1981 and started as a talent program and radiothon fundraiser for Telemiracle. It raised $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 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 $5,837. The students raised the money through a skate-a-thon.
Other entertainers for the evening were: Solange Simard (GX-94 Star Search winner); Jesse Genaille of Swan River, Cassandra Danyluk of Canora, Sherry Lesser of Lintlaw, Thomas Edward Hazlett of Pelly; Sherry Fehr and Chris Fisher, both of Yorkton; Laura Davis of Sturgis and the Sturgis Composite School choir.
Raea Lamont of Wynyard and Derwood (Christian Dales) of Melville were also part of the entertainment in Sturgis and at the Telemiracle held in Saskatoon.
