Derwent Fire Department’s STARS Project Yields Results

Derwent Fire Department’s STARS Project Yields Results

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Members of the Derwent Fire Department gathered at the site of its Growing For STARS project just outside the hamlet of Derwent before harvesting got underway the morning of Sept. 25.

Rick Kwasnycia, Secretary-Treasurer of the Derwent Fire Department, said they are always looking for opportunities to help the community, and one of the members had heard about the Growing For STARS project that was held a few years ago in Manitoba, and brought it up as a fundraising idea.

Kwasnycia said they decided to approach STARS in March and gave the go ahead for the fundraising campaign. It wasn’t long after that members began spreading the news by word of mouth, putting up posters in several communities, and posting information on the fire department’s social media platforms.

People were invited to purchase acres and silver, gold and platinum sponsors would be formally recognized for their contributions. A total of 21 acres of canola were seeded, and all of the input costs, machinery, labour and all other associated costs were donated by fire department members. Altogether, Kwasnycia said they have raised $12,500 in cash and $11,000 in-kind donations and proceeds from the crop $4,500. The grand total to date is $17,000 and fire department members will be canvassing for donations until the end of October.

Fire Chief Greg Lychak said they are just trying to show the community they’re active and thought this project would be a great example of that.

Derwent Fire Department members before harvesting began Sept. 25.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Firefighter Ezra Noster said STARS is an amazing organization and does not charge patients a dime for their services. Noster said he was told a couple of years ago the hourly cost to operate the air ambulance was $5,000.

Kwasnycia pointed out that 100 percent of the proceeds from the fundraiser goes to STARS.

Currently, the Derwent Fire Department has 26 members, the largest number of firefighters of all the fire departments in the County of Two Hills. Presently, there are 14 people who are on the waiting list to join.

Bethany Rose, Officer of Community Engagement for STARS, said, “The Derwent Fire Department has taken the Growing for STARS program and made it their own unique fundraiser for STARS. We are truly grateful for their hard efforts and the support from their community! Support like theirs helps STARS be there for the next critically ill or injured patient who needs help.”

According to STARS, since 1985 it has flown more than 45,000 missions across Western Canada. A total of 2,994 were carried out from six bases in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 2020-’21 there was one mission out of Dewberry, Mannville, Myrnam, Lavoy and Chipman, two missions out of Andrew, three missions out of Lamont, four missions out of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, five missions out of Viking, seven missions out of Two Hills, 12 missions out of Tofield, 15 out of Vegreville and 18 out of Smoky Lake.