Haying in the 30’s Cancer Fundraiser sets All-time Record of $40,000

Haying in the 30’s Cancer Fundraiser sets All-time Record of $40,000

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The outpouring of support at the Haying in the 30’s cancer fundraiser in St. Michael Saturday evening was unsurpassed as more than $40,000 was raised for the charitable organization.

Around 300 people attended the fundraiser that was hosted by the St. Michael Community & District Ag Society. The event featured a supper as well as a 50/50 draw, live and silent auction.

It was the 15th year the Ag Society has hosted the event. Master of Ceremonies Mae Adamyk personally thanked member Bernie Florkow for bringing the event to them 17 years ago. Because of COVID- 19 health restrictions they were unable to hold the fundraiser for the past two years. She also thanked Florkow and Richard Mandryk for going all out to canvass for donations.

In addition to Florkow and Mandryk, Danny Gawalko, Harvey Balicki and Pete Conway assisted with the live auction.

Haying in the 30’s Cancer Support Society President Martin Naundorf was on hand for the event with Directors Claude Corbiere, Ray Hellquist and Albert Boratynec.

Naundorf said it was the first time they had attended the fundraiser in St. Michael, and mentioned how impressed they were with how well the ‘30’s. A total of $500 was also raised for the Canada Ukraine Foundation for humanitarian aid.

Naundorf said 100 percent of the funds raised for the volunteer organization are provided to those undergoing medical treatment for cancer. The organization was founded by Mallaig area farmer Edgar Corbiere. In 1987, when his own family was dealing with cancer, he received help from the community and this was his way of giving back to the community and to people that gave him support when his family was in need.

Emil Schiller, President of the Alberta Floor Curling Association presents a $5,000 cheque to Mae Adamyk.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Corbiere passed away in 2009, but his legacy lives on through this organization which consists of 200 to 300 members. Each year Haying in the 30’s hosts a two day fundraising event in Mallaig. In 2018, the 20th annual event was held in the community where a total of $210,000 was raised.

In 2019, a total of $269,000 was raised, and Naundorf said attendance was between 3,000 and 5,000. He is always amazed by the outpouring of support at that event as well as at the St. Michael fundraiser.

Live auction item on display.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Between 1999 and 2021, a total of 6,152 communities have been supported by Haying in the 30’s. The yearly payout has gone from $3,600 in 1999 to $404,500 in 2021. The bulk of the payouts are in the province of Alberta, but funds have also been distributed in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. There have been a handful of recipients from the Yukon, USA, New Zealand and Australia.