Successful STARS fundraiser in Smoky Lake

By Irene van der Kloet

On April 15, a STARS Banquet fundraiser was held in Smoky Lake, sponsored by the Smoky Lake Ag Society at the Complex. STARS operates in rural areas and is very strong on community partnerships. It has been in operation for more than 30 years. Tickets for this fundraiser were available in February and sold out within three days, showcasing the support for STARS in this rural region. Over 400 people attended, attracted by an evening of entertainment and tables full of auction items. The evening kicked off with cocktails and a viewing of the silent auction items; the tables on the long walls of the hall were packed with items. At 5:45, Mikayla Cadenas and Ellee Seitz sang Oh Canada, followed by an acknowledgement of the land and opening words by the Mayor of Smoky Lake, Amy Cherniwchan. Brenda Barr, a STARS nurse, showed the public a video of the work of STARS. “I am a flight nurse and would not want to work elsewhere. STARS saves lives, as people in rural areas have fewer survival chances in case of an accident than city people. Although it may sometimes be difficult, this is gratifying work with a great team,” she tells the public. After Grace by Betty Rosichuk, it is time for supper, set up in the complex entrance for lack of space in the hall. This was an excellent banquet dinner by Noel Simpson and Julia Serben. The dessert table deserves a special mention, as it was a piece of art too lovely to disturb with an abundance of desserts to choose from. Following supper, there is plenty of time for the public to check out the silent auction tables and raise their bids. All items for the silent auction are donated, and the bids often go way beyond the actual purchase price of the item. Again, this shows how much the work of STARS is appreciated within rural communities like Smoky Lake. The live auction started after supper and brought in many dollars. One of the items, a Mag Drill, retailed at $1,629 and was sold for $12,000. Those who liked to dance had plenty of opportunities with country and western music by the Ryan Snow Band. An evening like this does not go without the help of volunteers and groups. The Smoky Lake Lions ensured security was in place and had a leisurely evening as nothing untoward happened. Bellis 4-H kept busy throughout the evening, cleaning up tables. Other groups, such as the Kinettes – very active in Smoky Lake – pitched in and other helping hands to make the evening a success. Many local businesses and farms sponsored this event but also sponsors from elsewhere in Alberta. The evening closed with a draw for a grill, a side of bison with freezer and beach equipment, and a fifty-fifty draw. STARS raised $110,000 at this event, an achievement to be proud of.