In its 20th year, the Rumsey Ride for STARS smashed its record, raising more than $45,000 in a single event.
The Rumsey Ride went on Sunday, August 9 at the TL Bar Ranch. It was a year of celebration as the event surpassed its 20-year mark of providing funds to STARS. This year they bettered their best result ever, raking in more than $13,000 over last year's total, their previous record.
“This is double our average,” said one of the organizers Jacqui Goddard. “$31,000 was our best last year.”
This year they raised $44,327 with an average number of riders. In all about 110 hit the trails to raise funds for STARS. There was also a healthy turnout for the final dinner and bidding was fierce at the silent auction.
While it was expected one of the STARS helicopters would be onsite, according to Sara Hughes of STARS, the service’s Edmonton chopper was being worked on, and it was necessary to commission the craft they hoped to fly to the ride.
Despite this, STARS arrived with its mobile simulator-training unit with “Stan”, a fully computerized automated patient for training purposes. The founder of STARS Dr. Gregg Powell also came for the special event.
This year’s top fundraiser was Rosalie Macfarlane who brought in $7,119 alone. The second highest was Ernie Goddard with $5,375. In all, the pledges added up to $31,265. The breakfast served up by the Rumsey Fire department brought in $792, and the poker run brought in another $660. The silent auction brought in $7,673 and the barbecued roast beef dinner raised $2,168. The raffle for the quilt, made the Richmond family fetched $1,518.
The 20-year total is just shy of $450,000, putting the half million-dollar mark well within reach.
The oldest rider at the event was Elmer Turigan, and the top fundraising junior rider was Mackenzie Anderson, 10, who raised $3,730.