For 37 years snowmobile enthusiasts have gathered in Yorkton for Snowarama, raising money for Camp Easter Seals in the province. In 2014, those riders raised $160,000, and a total of $1.7 million since the inception of the event. In 2015, the event will be held on February 7.
This year's event will see riders begin at the Gallagher Centre on Saturday morning, ride out to Good Spirit Lake for lunch and to refill the sleds, with fuel supplied by Yorkton Co-op, and then back to the Gallagher Centre again for the banquet Saturday night. Barry Bradshaw, chair of the event, says there will be a few different trails for riders, depending on how long they want to ride and what route they want to take, and says that given that the trail system is well documented and groomed it's easy for riders to find an entertaining route to Good Spirit and back.
Bradshaw has been involved with the event since its inception, and says that it's something he is proud to be involved with.
“I just enjoy doing it, I like seeing where that money goes to help kids.”
Deana Jesmer, Community Relations Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Abilities Council says that the ride is all about kids like Brooke Perpeluk, the Easter Seals Ambassador for the event. Money raised goes to sending kids who have disabilities to the fully wheelchair accessible camp, giving them the opportunity to do things most kids take for granted, and have a full camp experience, with activities like horseback riding and swimming that other kids might take for granted.
“It increases participation and self confidence for kids. In the end that is the main goal of community inclusion and extremely important... Kids with disabilities can't just sign up for any summer camp and go ahead and join.”
This year riders will have the opportunity to win a 2015 Arctic Cat Lynx, with each $150 raised going towards an entry on the snowmobile.
Anyone who would like to ride in the event is invited to call 306-782-2463 or visit www.snowarama.ca.
