From left to right are Malcolm Jenkins, Marina Mitchell, Vanessa Brahniuk, Guy St Hilaire and Candice Balon. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Generous Donation

Vintage Snowmobile Drag Race donates to Hospice

May 27, 2020 | 6:16 PM

The Rose Garden Hospice has received another generous donation following a late winter event.

On March 7 at the Prince Albert Airport, over 130 snowmobile racers battled blizzard like elements at the first annual Prince Albert Vintage Snowmobile Drag Race to raise money for the hospice.

Months later organizers Vanessa Brahniuk and Guy St Hilaire told paNOW at the cheque presentation Wednesday afternoon they raised $9,704.30. With a matched donation from Canadian Tire Owner Malcolm Jenkins of $10,000, they raised over $19,000.

Brahniuk said they were hoping to raise around $5,000 but exceeded their expectations. She added they would have raised more money if the weather had been better for their event which reduced the turnout. Some of the volunteers sustained minor frostbite.

“If it wasn’t for the help of the local businesses, we wouldn’t had been able to run that,” Brahniuk said. “We were hoping for $5,000 … now that we have the $19,000 it’s like all our hard work paid off and it makes you feel good to help out such a good cause. P.A. needs this.”

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If it is safe to do so, she said they are planning on putting on the event again next year.

“Everybody had a good time, we got nothing but positive feedback, so I think we’ll run it again and bring it back to P.A.,” Brahniuk added.

St Hilaire said the event had support from people outside the province including Manitoba and Alberta.

“Everything went so nice, we have a few kinks to straighten out a little [in future] but even all the racers who came out, they’re not making big bucks,” he said. “When we’re racing, we’re not making big dollars it’s just for bragging rights and a trophy.

“It was one of the best ones in Saskatchewan that we put on and that’s why we want to put it on again next year.”

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12