Photo Credit: STARS Air Ambulance Facebook

By Shane Clausing

STARS

Friends of STARS Experience looking to help support local businesses

Jan 3, 2021 | 7:00 AM

STARS is looking to fundraise money to help fund their helicopter sites in Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Calgary through the Friends of STARS Experience Alberta.

The goal of the fundraiser is not only to help raise money for STARS, but also to help Alberta’s tourism industry rebound after a devastating 2020.

Carla Minogue with the Friends of STARS Experience Alberta says many businesses in Grande Prairie and throughout the province have stepped up and donated items to help this fundraiser run successfully.

“STARS is such an important service to so many places in Alberta, particularly some of the more remote areas. It started off with a group of volunteers and people who wanted to support STARS and Alberta’s tourism industry. The project grew and grew and grew because STARS is such an important service to so many places in Alberta, particularly some of the remote areas.”

“As they (volunteers) went to some of the tourism operators in the province, they had this amazing response and that included some businesses in Grande Prairie.”

According to Minogue, some of the prizes up for grabs include a rafting day pass in the region, an orchard and wine tasting, as well as gift cards to Mr. Mikes.

Minogue adds those who purchase tickets in Grande Prairie won’t be limited to just having a local experience. Other prizes up for grabs include excursions such as golfing in Kananaskis, brewery tours and ski trips.

This fundraiser is important for STARS, as each of their bases costs $10 million to operate.

Those interested in participating in the fundraiser can do so by purchasing tickets online.

The goal of the Friends of Stars Experience lottery is to raise $100,000 for STARS.

“With COVID-19 affecting so many tourism and business operators, it’s a great way to support them as well.”