LIVESTOCK GROUPS MAKE $30,000 DONATION.

STARS Air Ambulance received $30,125 this week from three agriculture organizations: Canadian Western Agribition (CWA), the Canadian Bison Association and Bouchard Livestock. Organizers of the 2013 Agribition say this co-operative donation is the first of its kind in the organization’s 43-year history.

“We are proud to be able to partner with the industry to support an organization that greatly impacts our customers across the province,” said Marty Seymour, CEO of CWA.

CWA raised $5,000 for STARS through its annual Winners Circle Auctioneer Competition at Agribition. Three auctioneers from across North America competed to be named CWA’s Auctioneer Champion by selling charitable items with the proceeds going to STARS.

The Canadian Bison Association raised $15,000 for STARS as part of its national convention held during Agribition. The bulk of the proceeds were generated through the sale of a life-size bison replica made from fibreglass. This item was purchased and then donated back to the association.

“We selected STARS after hearing a story that hit close to home for us,” said Terry Kremeniuk, the association’s executive director.

Larissa Helbig, a bison producer and Canadian Bison Association member, was critically injured in 2012 and would not have survived if not for STARS getting her to the hospital so quickly, Kremeniuk said.

Bouchard Livestock worked closely with a group of Canadian beef producers to auction off a signed Keith Shologan Saskatchewan Roughrider jersey during its annual Simmental sale at Agribition, raising $10,200 for STARS.

“STARS was instrumental in saving the life of one of our fellow cattlemen last year,” said Brian Bouchard, owner of Bouchard.

“We all hope we never need to use the services of STARS, but when we do, we trust they will be there for us.”

The donations will help provide rapid, highly specialized emergency care to people living, working and travelling in Saskatchewan. All funds raised in the province stays within Saskatchewan.

“A donation of this nature, a collaborative gift, is a first for Canadian Western Agribition and it displays the strong support we have in our community,” said Rod Gantefoer, executive director of the STARS Foundation, Saskatchewan. “Thanks to donors like these, STARS can continue to provide patients in Saskatchewan with hope.”