The Oak Lake Fair was held this past weekend on July 18 and a lot of people were out to have a fun time. From the tractor pull to the bouncy castles, the Oak Lake Fair has a bunch of entertainment for everyone.
In the afternoon there was Oak Lake 4-H Achievement Day and sale. There were many attendees to the sale and for good reason too. Jay Rimke has always sold cattle and given at least 10 percent of the winnings to STARS Air Ambulance. But this year is his last year before he heads off to school so he wanted to go out with a bang. Rimke decided to give all money made through the sale to STARS.
STARS is an air ambulance service based out of major centres including Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, and Grand Prairie.
In the 1980s, studies showed that the majority of deaths were due to the injured not receiving critical help sooner. Dr Greg Powell, founder of STARS, lost a young mother while she was being transported and decided to create a change. The Rimke family went through a great ordeal where they might not have been able to see their son again, and if STARS wasn’t there, he probably would not have made it to the hospital in time. And thanks to Dr. Powell, the Rimke family was able to spend time with their son again.
“It isn’t a donation to the kids, it isn’t a donation to 4-H, it’s a donation straight to STARS,” states Albert Rimke, Jay’s father and 4-H leader. “I hope it brings awareness to STARS out too. The more times STARS is visible, the more people will make a contribution or donation to it. It’s one of those things you hope you never use but it’s good to know about.”
Jay’s steer was purchased for $5,500 plus some additional donations. Renards Meat Services donated $500, Andrew Agencies donated $250, Batho Farms Ltd. donated $100, Art and Lynda Denbow donated $100, Heartland Livestock Services donated $100, and Masterfeeds - Brandon donated $100. These donations and the initial purchase totaled $6,650 that will be fully donated to STARS.
