While the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) talent took centre stage this past weekend in Kindersley during the two-night Energy Dodge Dakota Buttar Invitational, community spirit in the form of a large fundraising project for the hospital in Kindersley increasingly joined the fun; until eclipsing the rodeo action come the end of the show on Saturday night.
Event organizers were happy to announce that a growing total of over $75,000 is being donated through the Kindersley Health and Wellness Foundation with the purpose of purchasing a new anesthetic machine, and community members were on hand afterwards to help bring in the news.
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With the chutes closed for good after a great weekend of action in Kindersley, PBR Canada event promoter Pete Gebraad took the mic to address the crowd along with namesake of the event and night two champion Dakota Buttar, and Jake Gardner who won the overall event and moved with under two points of Buttar's lead in the national standings.
After Buttar presented the buckle to the event winner Gardner, the top two riders in Canada allowed Gebraad to take the mic again, as he rattled off the list of significant sponsors that helped towards an initial total of over $50,000.
"$5000 raised through the 50/50... $1000 from Simplot... $5000 from Jaymie from Hollands Hot Oiling... $3500 from Kelly Insurance... $5000 from the event, from Dakota and myself," listed Gebraad, only about halfway through before the next donation caught some major applause. "$5000 in memory of Norm Neigum from Good to Go Trucking.
"$2500 from Red Lion Inn, Marcel, Mark, Mary-Ann, and George..." finished Gebraad, as another $2500 totaled in from personal donations and other avenues led to a PBR raised total of $51,000.
After shouting out all of the great sponsors, Gebraad welcomed both Lisa Kirtzinger with the Kinsmen and Kinette Club of Kindersley, and Clinical Services Manager at the local hospital Anika Becker to share a few words.
That sum of money added to an already existing number for the equipment, as the Kin Club announced another $15,000 additional dollars to push the fundraising total past $73,000 with donations continuing to pour in for a noted total of $76,500 as of Sunday.
Receiving another round of applause, Kirtzinger picked up right where Gebraad left off by talking about the incredible display of support in Kindersley.
"When we first started this fundraiser, we had a hope of raising some money for our hospital. But with the generosity of the people from this community, my heart couldn't be fuller than it is right now. We need to take care of ourselves and help ourselves make our hospital even better, so thank you."
Kirtzinger finished her address by mentioning the fundraiser was being left open for another week, asking anyone who still wants to help out to reach out to her or the Kin Club directly.
With the final total still ringing in the crowds' ears, it was Becker taking the mic next to commend Kindersley for their herculean efforts.
"Wow, Kindersley," said an emotional Becker. "I am from here, I work here. We care for the people from our community, and I am overwhelmed with the generosity that comes from our community... A big thank you from myself, from the hospital, and from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, thank you."
After another round of cheers, Gebraad took the mic back and called on the sound booth to play a song to wrap up the night and send things into the after party on the rodeo dirt, marking the end of another PBR spectacle in Kindersley that highlighted heart and soul in more ways than one.