Flin Flon motorcycle enthusiast and local cottage owner Bentley Busby made a special trip into the community June 15. He brought with him a cheque in the amount of $500, made out to the Friends of the Firemen. It was explained that the money was from the Flin Flon Motorcycle Association and it was their donation to the fund set up to purchase a new fire truck for Snow Lake.
"A few of us were in town a couple of weekends back (for the car show) and really enjoyed ourselves, it's a great place," said Busby. "And you know there are a lot of people from Snow Lake who support our club's annual draw for a Harley, so we thought that we'd give something back to them."
Busby says that the Flin Flon club makes a point of picking worthwhile causes that they can contribute to. He says one of those causes is seeing that selected Northerners get a taste of what it's like to be a Harley Davidson owner. "In the 17 years that the Flin Flon Motorcycle Association has been around, we have raffled off a Harley in every one of those years," he said. Additionally, the club gives to the Wish Foundation every year. "For Northern wishes," Busby clarifies. They are also in the process of putting together $12,000 to help a little girl in the north with her medical problems.
Fire Chief Cory Anaka, firefighter Clint Parsons, and Bev Erickson, chairperson of The Friends of the Firemen, were all on hand to receive the donation. In accepting the cheque, Erickson stated, "Thank you very much, we certainly appreciate it every bit helps!"
In other news, approximately 20 residents showed their support for the annual Rick Hansen Walk/Run/Wheel by taking part in a short luncheon at the Lawrie Marsh Hall on June 14.
The event usually involves a little work before participants get to eat; as well, it would normally involve people taking pledges prior to the occasion. But due to the recession and closure of the Chisel North Mine things were done differently this year. Local Rick Hansen Ambassador, Roger Wiesner spoke to the gathering after they had eaten and explained.
"Good to see everybody out today," said Wiesner as attendees finished up ice cream cones volunteers passed around. "I just wanted to explain in a few words why we did things this way. My feeling was that I didn't really want to approach everyone (for pledges) this year because of the way things were in town with all the guys having to go over to Flin Flon to work. I felt more comfortable doing things this way. Hopefully everyone will be back home soon, so we can carry on normally next year."
For this year's event, Wiesner said the walk would be relinquished and instead the Snow Lake Health Auxiliary supplied food for a luncheon that he and his committee put on for the community. If people wished to, or were able to, they could donate, but it wasn't expected.
The local ambassador also noted that the previous year's fundraiser had seen people spend time in a wheelchair as part of the pledge process. This was done in an attempt to raise awareness in participants of what it is like to do things from a wheelchair. "That fundraiser was very successful, and we were thinking about doing it again this year, but then this came up," Wiesner said. "Actually, last year with some hard work and good people on the board, we raised a little over $4,000.
In the past money raised in the event has helped with the costs of redoing the ramp at the Lawrie Marsh Hall, as well as the recent installation of a ramp at the Anglican/United Church. Additionally, funds were spent on the boardwalk at the beach.
Roger's wife Rhoda explained to the group that money raised at the event can't be accessed by businesses; it must go to a community project or even a person who has a spinal cord injury. "It can be used to help out if someone in the community needs something done in their home," she said.
Prior to the luncheon's conclusion, committee member Betty Rudd noted that it would be great if people in the community would begin to think about a project that could be done locally with committee funds. "Yes, we have some time to think about what we want to do," added Wiesner.
