Overwhelming support for Arnal Boys Memorial Bursary fundraiser
December 8 was a special day at Heartland Livestock in support of the Arnal Boys Memorial Bursary.
A fundraising cattle auction was held in support of the bursary, with the Rock Solid Bred Heifer Sale an overwhelming success by raising $47,831.
The Arnal Boys Memorial Bursary is intended to give young people the opportunity to participate in the agricultural sector.
The Arnal family extends a thank you to everyone for their generosity and support towards the bursary. There has been an overwhelming amount of donations from all over the country in both large and small amounts, with many individuals and businesses sending in donations.
At the Rock Solid Bred Heifer Sale, three heifers were donated by Bircham Ranch. The buyers of the heifers included Emily Olney for $10,500; Crescent Point Energy for $9,000, with the heifer being resold to the Richardson family for $8,000; and Diamond K Cattle Co. (Bryce and Lance Weiss) purchases a heifer for $8,000. In addition, 12 birdhouses were donated by Bruce and Mary McFadyen, with these items sold for a total profit of $7,400. As well, a large corporate donation was made by Innovation Credit Union, while Heartland Livestock employees made a cash donation.
“People whom our family does not even know have sold livestock, with the funds going to the bursary. It paints a true picture of what small town Saskatchewan is and what the people believe in,” explained family spokesperson Chantel Henderson.
In order to be a recipient of the bursary, individuals must: be between the ages of 8 and 18; attend school within the Chinook School Division; and have an agricultural interest or project they would like to invest in.
“With the outstanding support towards the bursary we have chosen to increase the bursary to $5,000 to those who provide a business plan, including the cost, goals and overall plan for their project.”
The bursary application deadline has been set for March 1, however, consideration will be given if the funds are needed prior to that date. There is no project that would be considered too big or too small, and all applications will be considered.
“Blake, Sean and Lyndon were passionate beyond description for agriculture and maintained characteristics such as being creative, smart, hardworking and innovative. Sean and Blake con- tinually browsed bull catalogues and purchased numerous bulls to better the genetics of the cattle herd. Lyndon and Sean had a partnership in the pig business in which a lot of thought and work was put into. It is these traits and characteristics that the Arnal family is interested in seeing and recognizing with the bursary,” Henderson noted.
There will be a three on three hockey tournament on March 13 and 14, and a skeet shoot on July 11 and 12, with both these events intended as a time for people to get together and have fun. The family wants everyone to feel invited, included and to have a good time. Proceeds from both events will also be in support of the bursary.
“Again, we cannot thank people enough for their kindness, generosity and donations. It is truly overwhelming.”