Derwent’s Fire Department Raises $20,000 for STARS

Derwent’s Fire Department Raises $20,000 for STARS

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Members of Derwent Fire Department presented a $20,000 cheque to STARS representatives on Nov. 23. The funds were proceeds from its 2022 Growing for STARS fundraising project.

STARS Community Engagement Officer Shannon Paquette and STARS Outreach Education Lead Michael Christian were on hand for the presentation and thanked members for their support. “Your ongoing support is so important. We fly 50,000 missions a year, so we see the impact it has on people’s lives and it’s amazing,” said Paquette.

Fire Chief Matt Jaremco said Growing for STARS has been a great experience for the department. “We are very grateful for the support from local businesses that have supplied crop inputs, machinery, monetary donations and everyone’s time and energy to make this a success for the second year.”

Back row L-R: William Burgess, James Burgess, Sheldon Mailhot, Greg Lychak, Darren Yaceyko, Carter Bielech, Don Gulayec and Don Logan. Front row L-R: Kevin Onysyk, Rick Kwasnycia, Matt Jaremco, Shannon Paquette, Michael Christian, Ed Mailhot and Ezra Noster. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Jaremco said department members saw an ad on Twitter stating that STARS had an opportunity to support them through a program called Growing for STARS. “As a department that is strongly based in the agriculture industry, we had directly worked with STARS and had family transported by STARS and wanted to give back.”

Jaremco said plans are underway for the 2023 year and are hoping for the continued support from donors for another successful year.

Growing for STARS was inspired by the generosity of a family who planted 40 acres of soybeans and donated the proceeds to STARS. From there, more farmers and ranchers asked how they could lend a hand.

Since that time grain and cattle producers have joined the Growing for STARS. Paquette said each mission costs $5,400 and they average eight missions per day. “All donations go to operations,” noted Paquette. Currently, there are nine organizations in Alberta participating in Growing for STARS. STARS Sr. Municipal Relations Liason Glenda Farnden made a presentation to the County of Two Hills on earlier in the day. She stated that, “Residents, no matter where they travel have access to STARS at no charge because we are a charitable entity.”

For example, 57 residents from the County of Two Hills have been flown by STARS since 2010. She noted that number does not capture every mission because they didn’t have the postal code for every patient. So far this year, eight missions have been flown, seven have been critical inter-facility transfers from the Two Hills Hospital and one scene call near Two Hills.

Following Farnden’s presentation council voted to donate $500 to STARS.